Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 December 2004
9 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the recent report of the strategic task force on alcohol; if it is intended to implement the recommendations of the report; if she has brought proposals to the Government on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31559/04]
View answerThe strategic task force on alcohol was established in January 2002. Its remit is to provide specific evidence based measures for Government to prevent and reduce alcohol related harm. The task force published an interim report in May 2002 and has recently published its second report. Together, the two reports provide 100 recommendations framed using the ten strategy areas for alcohol action outlined in the World Health Organisation European Charter on Alcohol. I welcome the publication of the report and intend to bring it to Government shortly.
That does not tell me anything I did not already know. The whole idea of this process is to elicit information. There are clear recommendations regarding the reduction of availability, health warnings, the protection of children and advertising controls. The task force did not go as far as the Oireachtas committee report, chaired by the Minister of State, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, which was very specific. It argued for significant change such as a ban on advertising and sponsorship. These measures would make a significant difference with regard to alcohol abuse. There are many ideas. However, the only people who do not seem to have any views or ideas on the matter are the Ministers responsible. Perhaps, as asked in the question, the Minister of State will tell us what is the view of the Department of the recommendations.
Specific responsibility in this area has been delegated to the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power. The position of the Tánaiste and Minister of Health and Children, Deputy Harney, is that the matter will be brought to Government to seek its view on the recommendations in order that an implementation plan can be developed.
With regard to current trends in alcohol consumption and related harm, in 2003 there was a decline in consumption for the first time in over 16 years. We must assume this is as a result of the increased taxation on alcohol products announced in the December 2002 budget.
We heard a presentation yesterday from Professor Wall who is embarking on a major research project in this area. According to him, the consumption of beer has decreased but the consumption of wine and hard spirits has increased. However, I am not arguing the point. It will be the Minister, not the Minister of State, who will go to the Cabinet on the matter. Can she give us a hint as to what her approach will be? Will it be a case of "Here is another old report from the Department of Health and Children. We do not have to pay it any attention?" or will she state the priorities which are being taken seriously? It would be useful to know. Perhaps she could give us a little hint.
This is not any old report but a matter all Ministers take extremely seriously. There is a suggestion of a difference in approach between Departments. All key Departments are represented on the task force and have signed up to the recommendations, of which there is a wide set in the report which require detailed implementation. A number of recommendations in the interim report, published in 2002, have been implemented such as the increase in taxation on alcohol products which resulted in a decline in alcohol consumption for the first time in over 16 years. In that regard, the Deputy is correct. That resulted in a decline in alcohol consumption in Ireland for the first time in more than 16 years. The Deputy is correct that there has been a secular increase in wine consumption for a number of years but it has not been matched in the case of spirits and beer. The statistics for 2003 are based on overall alcohol consumption. Any product that has alcohol in it is taken into account for the purpose of arriving at that conclusion.
A three-year alcohol awareness campaign proved effective in raising awareness among the public of alcohol as a public health issue. I commend the press and media who have done a good job in recent times in highlighting the dangers of the type of practices in which Irish people have engaged in this area. The Road Traffic Act extends the grounds for breathalysing requests and represents a move towards random breath testing.
The Select Committee on Health Children met today to discuss the new Health Bill. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, chaired by the Minister of State, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, spent considerable time compiling a report on alcohol. That report is a valuable document which took considerable time to draw up and was the result of many submissions. Will the Minister of State take that report on board? I had hoped he would comment on this valuable report which, if implemented, could make a difference to the situation.
I will draw the attention of officials in the Department to the report and ensure it is taken into consideration in any submissions made.
