Vol. 523 No. 2
107 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans she has to ban radio and television advertising targeted at children aged under 12; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20240/00]
121 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans she has to ban or restrict advertising of alcohol on television in view of the concerns about the continuing level of underage drinking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20224/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 121 together.
As indicated in my reply to Question No 1, on 2 March 2000, section 4 of the Broadcasting Act, 1990, provides that I have the power to draw up and amend, from time to time as I think appropriate, codes governing standards, practice and prohibitions in advertising and other forms of commercial promotion in broadcasting.
Chapter 14 of the current codes imposes a number of restrictions on advertisers with regard to advertising and children's programmes including prohibitions on advertisements which exploit children's inexperience or credulity or advertisements which encourage minors to persuade their parents or others to purchase or make inquiries about goods or services being advertised. Chapter 14 reflects the requirement of Directive 89/522/EEC (Television Without Frontiers).
Chapter 15 deals with restrictions on the advertising of alcoholic drinks and includes, among other things, a prohibition on broadcasters from transmitting alcoholic drink advertising which may encourage young people to begin drinking or which is aimed at minors or depict minors consuming such beverages. The chapter also prohibits the transmission of alcoholic drink advertising in or around programmes primarily intended for young viewers or listeners.
I have no plans at present to introduce further restrictions in these areas. However, as I have indicated previously, responsibility for drawing up codes specifying the codes and standards, practice and prohibitions in advertising, sponsorship and other forms of commercial promotion in broadcasting services will devolve to the Independent Radio and Television Commission, to be renamed the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, under the provisions of the Broadcasting Bill, 1999, when it is enacted.
