Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
1993. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if advice will be provided on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the continuation of below cost selling of alcohol as a loss leader by supermarkets and other symbol groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19527/21]
View answer1994. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the practice of below cost selling of alcohol (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19528/21]
View answer2229. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the commencement of section 11 of the Public Health Act 2018. [20194/21]
View answer2284. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when he plans to commence section 11 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20428/21]
View answer2285. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with his counterpart in Northern Ireland to implement common public health measures relating to the minimum unit pricing of alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20429/21]
View answer2291. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the advice which can be provided in relation to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20454/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1993, 1994, 2229, 2284, 2285 and 2291 together.
In 2013, my Department commissioned Sheffield University to examine the potential impact of a range of alcohol pricing policies in order to reduce public health harms from alcohol. As part of that research, Sheffield University analysed the impacts of a ban on below cost selling of alcohol products and of excise fiscal measures (taxation). Both of these approaches were found to be less effective than the introduction of a minimum unit price for alcohol products in addressing alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm.
The Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 provides for the introduction of minimum unit pricing. Section 11 of the Act prohibits the advertising or sale of alcohol products below a set minimum price of 10 cent per gram of alcohol. This is a targeted measure designed to prevent the sale of alcohol at very cheap prices and aimed at those who drink in a harmful and hazardous manner.
The introduction of minimum unit pricing is currently subject to a Government Decision which envisaged that it would be introduced in Northern Ireland and in the Republic simultaneously. Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann recently set out that he and his Department do not have capacity to implement minimum unit pricing in Northern Ireland during his mandate. On that basis I intend to explore alternative approaches to the introduction here of this very important public health measure.
