Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 April 2021
155. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the progress made in the past three months in relation to introducing minimum unit pricing for alcohol as provided for in legislation; the steps that have to be taken before this section of legislation can be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20988/21]
View answerThe introduction of minimum unit pricing of alcohol products 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.
