Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 2

Written Answers. - Alcoholic Lemonade.

Michael Smith

Question:

42 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Health the direct action, if any, he has taken to limit sales of alcoholic lemonades to young people; and the plans, if any, he has to bring proposals on this matter to Government before the budget. [20449/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The sale of alcohol to persons under 18 years is prohibited by law. The Minister for Justice shares my concern that the law in this area should be strictly enforced. The National Alcohol Policy outlines a range of actions which will be undertaken to address drinking and young people and, in particular under-age drinking. These actions include: initiatives with youth in the formal and non-formal sectors; development of the role of parents in helping their children to adopt sensible and responsible attitudes and behaviours in relation to alcohol; and facilitation by the Department of Justice of the identify card schemes.

In addition the drinks industry is encouraged to provide for responsible server training for staff; establish a charter for retailers which would incorporate best practices in relation to customers, staff and promotions; endorse and incorporate into their code that "no alcoholic drinks sponsorship of youth activities should be undertaken directly or indirectly"; and confine advertisements to factual information regarding price, availability, mode of manufacture and be in keeping with the National Alcoholic Policy sensible drinking guidelines.

As I reported to the House on 26 September last the National Alcohol Policy which I announced on 20 September does not contain specific recommendations concerning the sale of alcoholic fruit drinks. However, on the basis of expressed public concern about the issue, I made contact with my colleague the Minister for Enterprise and Employment concerning the promotion of such drinks. He outlined to the House on 22 October last the position with regard to the labelling of food and drinks products. The Director of Consumer Affairs, who has responsibility for the enforcement of regulations in this area has recently examined the labelling of alcoholic lemonades on sale here and found them to be in compliance with the food labelling provisions. The products are clearly labelled as being alcoholic fruit drinks, as well as giving an indication of their alcoholic strength.

Both the Minister for Enterprise and Employment and I are conscious of the concern about the labelling of such products however, and therefore he is seeking the agreement of the European Commission and of member states, to introduce stringent requirements for the labelling of such drinks with the aim of protecting consumer's health. I propose to keep in touch with my colleague to monitor progress on this issue. In the meantime, my officials are in discussion with the drinks industry concerning good practice in the sale and packaging of alcoholic drinks in this country.

I said on 26 September that I believed the Irish industry is willing to play its part in protecting under-age drinkers. The drinks industry made contact with my Department with a view to discussing its ideas with us and I welcome that development. I believe that a joint approach to sensible drinking between the public and private sector is the way forward at the present time.