669. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health in light of ongoing speculation and the absence of any formal communication from the Department, to confirm whether the implementation of the alcohol labelling provisions under the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 is being delayed or shelved; and to state the specific timeline she can now rely on; and whether continued Governmental indecision risks undermining these efforts. [26957/25]
670. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health given the upcoming commencement of the alcohol labelling requirements under the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 and the distinct logistical realities faced by importers and distributors managing significant stock volumes, if the Department will provide an explicit dispensation for these businesses, similar to that afforded to on- and off-trade premises, for stock held prior to the implementation date; and if not, whether she accepts that the absence of clear guidance risks imposing disproportionate logistical and financial burdens on this sector. [26958/25]
671. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health if she will confirm whether the implementation of the alcohol labelling provisions under the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 is proceeding as planned; if she will clarify whether any delay or deferral is

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: I propose to take Questions Nos. 669, 670 and 671 together.

The requirement for health warnings and health information on the labels of alcohol products was enacted at section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 on 17 October 2018. The Minister for Health made the Public Health (Alcohol) (Labelling) Regulations 2023 and commenced section 12 of the Act on 18 May 2023. The law will come into operation on 22 May 2026.

In July 2024, written guidance for industry on the labelling legislation under the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 was published on Government of Ireland website (https://www.gov.ie/en/healthy-ireland/policy-information/healthy-ireland-alcohol-policy/). In addition, in April this year, the National Environmental Health Service of the HSE, the enforcement authority for the law, published a Frequently Asked Questions document which is available here: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/environ/frequently-asked-questions-on-public-health-alcohol-labelling.pdf .

The Public Health (Alcohol) Act provides for a three year lead-in time in relation to the labelling provision. This lead-in time was not commenced until the relevant Regulations were made so as to ensure that businesses had precise certainty about the obligation they have to meet and three years to prepare to meet those obligations.

Question No. 670 answered with Question No. 669.

Question No. 671 answered with Question No. 669.