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Alcohol Pricing

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 February 2013

Thursday, 14 February 2013

Questions (312)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

312. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if in view of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee's recommendations of alcohol and cancer, when he will begin work on introducing minimum pricing; the structural separating of alcohol from other products, labelling and a national campaign to provide health warnings on the links between alcohol and cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7766/13]

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Written answers

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that real and tangible proposals are currently being finalised on foot of the recommendations in the National Substance Misuse Strategy report. These proposals cover all of the areas mentioned in the report, including legislation on minimum unit pricing; labelling of alcohol products; and prevention and intervention activities on alcohol. My Department is also working closely with the Department of Justice and Equality, which is responsible for the issue of the structural separation of alcohol from other products in mixed trading outlets.

The Cabinet Committee on Social Policy has considered these proposals and I intend to bring forward specific proposals for consideration by Government as soon as possible. In the meantime, work on developing a framework for the necessary Department of Health legislation is continuing. For example, in conjunction with Northern Ireland, a health impact assessment is being commissioned as part of the process of developing a legislative basis for minimum unit pricing. The health impact assessment will study the impact of different minimum prices on a range of areas such as health, crime and likely economic impact.

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