Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 July 2008
112 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will commit to consulting with children’s and youth organisations when the revised voluntary alcohol marketing, communications and sponsorship codes of practice are reviewed in June 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28341/08]
View answerThe revised codes provide for the establishment of a consultative panel to bring the views and concerns of stakeholders to the attention of the body established to monitor compliance with and the effectiveness of the codes. The consultative panel will include representation from the youth sector.
113 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the way compliance with the voluntary alcohol marketing, communications and sponsorship codes of practice with respect to television advertising will be regulated and monitored; the process for producing the profile as outlined in the television code; the number of people on which the profile will be based; the agency responsible for compiling the profile; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28342/08]
View answer114 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the way compliance with the voluntary alcohol marketing, communications and sponsorship codes of practice with respect to outdoor media advertising will be independently regulated and monitored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28343/08]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 114 together.
The process for the control and monitoring of alcohol advertisement involves a number of steps. These include the copy clearance by Central Copy Clearance Ireland (CCCI) of all alcohol advertisements published in the Irish media, the monitoring by the Monitoring Body of adherence to the voluntary codes and the investigation by the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland of complaints concerning possible breaches of these voluntary codes.
All alcohol advertisement carried by Irish Media must carry the CCCI Publication Certificate and Approval Number in order to be accepted for broadcast/display. The function of CCCI is to vet the content of alcohol advertisements to ensure adherence to the ASAI Code and the General Advertising Code of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland.
With regard to television advertising the Monitoring Body receives quarterly profiles for each day of the week giving the percentage of under 18s viewing for each applicable half-hour segment. The ASAI investigate any complaints concerning possible breaches of the Voluntary Codes. The ASAI submit a report to each meeting of the Monitoring Body detailing the complaints received and the outcome. Audience Profiles are based on information from Nielson Media Research who are the contractor appointed by the Irish Broadcasters to measure television viewing in the Republic of Ireland. The profiles are based on 600 households. Each broadcaster is responsible for preparing and submitting their profile to the Monitoring Body.
In respect of outdoor advertising the Monitoring Body actively monitors compliance with the codes through Reports which detail booking cycles of all outdoor alcohol advertisements and the locations in which they were placed. The ASAI investigate any complaints concerning possible breaches of the codes. The ASAI submit a report to each meeting of the Monitoring Body detailing the complaints received and the outcome.
115 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children when the 2007 annual report of the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28344/08]
View answerThe 2007 annual report of the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body has been published and has been available on my Department's website and on the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland's website (ASAI) since 1 July 2008.
