Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 February 2013
221. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if a minimum pricing order in respect of off licence sales of alcohol is still under consideration; when proposals are likely to be presented to Cabinet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10752/13]
View answerReal 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 which is about setting a statutory floor price per gram of alcohol. Following consideration by the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and liaison with other Departments, 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.
