24 Apr 2013, 14:53
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications this morning concluded its deliberations on the implications of a possible ban on the sponsorship of major sporting events by alcohol drinks companies. It is the Committees intention to publish a short report on the basis of the hearings.
24 April 2013
Before the Committee this morning were the Federation of Irish Sport, Horse Racing Ireland and Drinks Industry Group of Ireland. The Committee previously heard from Alcohol Action Ireland and the College of Psychiatrists as well as the heads of the GAA, FAI and IRFU on the matter.
Committee Chairman Tom Hayes TD says: \"Last year, proposals to curb alcohol misuse were presented by a Department of Health Steering Group which included the phasing out of alcohol sponsorship of sporting and cultural events by 2016. Our Committee agreed to carefully consider the matter as part of our current work programme. We thank the representatives of all organisations who came before us over the three sessions. Each delivered insightful, candid and heartfelt presentations on their perspectives on this complex issue. We heard an estimate this morning that somewhere between €30 and €40 million is spent on sports sponsorship by alcohol drinks companies annually. Our Committee intends to compile a short report which summarises the arguments on both sides of this debate and, if consensus among Members can be found, will make recommendations on the matter.”
For further information contact:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
Committee Membership
Deputies
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Féin
Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fáil
Dessie Ellis, Sinn Féin
Terence Flanagan, Fine Gael
Tom Fleming, Independent
Noel Harrington, Fine Gael
Tom Hayes, Fine Gael (Chairman)
Seán Kenny, Labour
Eamonn Moloney, Labour
Michael Moynihan, Fianna Fáil
Patrick O’Donovan, Fine Gael
John O’Mahony, Fine Gael (Vice-Chairman)
Ann Phelan, Labour
Brian Walsh, Fine Gael
Senators
Terry Brennan
Sean D. Barrett
Eamonn Coghlan
Paschal Mooney
Ned O’Sullivan
John Whelan