asked the Minister for Health the action he proposes to take to eliminate under-age drinking and the control of advertising of drink.
34.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drink Advertising
33.
asked the Minister for Health if he considers that the antidrink advertisement on television has the desired effect, in view of the fact that there are several advertisements on the same night advertising drink.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 34 together. So far as eliminating under-age drinking is concerned the Deputy will be aware that the availability of alcoholic drink is controlled by the Intoxicating Liquor Acts which are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Justice. In response to similar questions in December last he indicated that he has this particular matter under active consideration.
At my request the Health Education Bureau will undertake this year a major campaign designed to encourage people to have a more responsible approach to their use of alcoholic drink.
I accept that there is a need to restrict the present scale of advertising of drink on television and in general. The most effective methods of doing so are currently being considered.
When does the Minister expect steps will be taken in regard to the restriction on advertising intoxicating liquor on television?
The only thing I can say is that it is under very active and immediate consideration.
Can the Minister give any indication at all?
What does the Deputy want to know? Weeks? Months? Years?
Yes.
Months. Certainly this year. We will have a major campaign by the Health Information Bureau later on this year and I would hope that by that stage the restrictions would be effective.
At that stage they would be?
Certainly, yes.