Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2014
490. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if progress has been made with the proposal to introduce a minimum unit pricing policy for alcohol, which has been recommended for a considerable period, as an important policy instrument in fighting alcohol harm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48196/14]
View answerThe Government has approved an extensive package of measures to deal with alcohol misuse to be incorporated in a Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. These measures are based on the recommendations contained in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, 2012 and include provisions for the introduction of minimum unit pricing for alcohol products. Work on developing a framework for the necessary Department of Health legislation is continuing and it is intended to publish a General Scheme of a Bill in January.
