587. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to elaborate on his comments to the European Council on Agriculture and Fisheries (details supplied) that Ireland will cancel legislative public health policy, namely alcohol health information labelling; when this decision was agreed, and by whom; the reason he made these comments and not the Minister for Health; his views on whether he has overreached in making announcements in relation to Department-of-Health policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73490/25]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Alcohol health information labelling is a policy matter for the Minister for Health.

However, I can confirm that the Government decided on 22 July 2025 to delay the implementation of this particular measure for two years from 2026 to 2028. This has been reported widely and indeed already addressed via the parliamentary question procedure with questions directly to the relevant Minister.

I am not aware of any other changes being made to the underpinning legislation.

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Dáil Éireann debate. Question 667 - Healthcare policy [73489/25]

667. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2883 of 29 July 2025, if she stands by her statement that alcohol health information labelling will be implemented in 2028; how this tallies with recent reports (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73489/25]

Minister for Health: I refer the Deputy to the amending Commencement Order for section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 here: www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2025/si/422/made/en/print, and to the amended Regulations under section 12 here: www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2025/si/423/made/en/print. The Deputy will note that both, by law, will come into effect on 3 September 2028.