Brian O'Shea
Ceist:10 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the proposals she has to ban the advertising of alcoholic drink on radio and television; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4993/01]
Ceisteanna–Questions. - Alcoholic Drink Advertising.
The codes of standards, practice and prohibitions in advertising, sponsorship and other forms of commercial promotion in broadcasting services recognise a voluntary ban on the broadcast advertising of spirit based alcoholic drinks. There are restrictions on the advertising of other alcoholic drinks.
Responsibility for the codes will transfer to the proposed broadcasting commission of Ireland under the terms of the Broadcasting Bill, 1999, which is approaching its final stages in the Seanad, as we speak.
I have no plans at present to introduce a statutory ban on advertising of alcoholic drink on radio or television.
Ba mhaith liomsa freisin comhgháirdeas a ghabháil leis an Aire Stáit Máire Ní Chochláin as ucht an ardaithe céime atá faighte aici. Tá an t-ardú céime sin lán-tuillte aici. Guím rath agus séan ar a cuid oibre agus tá súil agam go mbainfidh sí taithneamh as an bpost. Ba mhaith liom freisin comhgháirdeas a ghabháil leis an Teachta McGinley agus leis an Teachta de Brún as ucht na n-ardaithe céime atá faighte acu san. Is mise agus an tAire an t-aon bheirt atá anseo le fada mar a bhíomar.
Does the Minister agree we are facing a severe public health crisis in terms of alcohol abuse, that Ireland comes top of the league in Europe in that regard, that there is no avoiding the conclusion that television and radio advertising plays a substantial role in attracting young people, even young people who are under age, towards the consumption of alcohol, and that the situation calls for drastic and radical action on her part? Given that the Broadcasting Bill is before the Seanad, it is not too late for the Minister to table an amendment such as the one I suggested. Does she believe the current situation can be allowed to drift and that the solution will come in some form or other from the Broadcasting Commission in due course? This country's appalling alcohol problems are the worst in Europe. The Minister's answer was a negation of her responsibility to young people.
As the Deputy knows, the new Broadcasting Commission of Ireland will be responsible for revising and updating particular codes. The Deputy made the correct distinction between alcohol consumption and alcohol abuse, which is under discussion here and in the Seanad. The Minister for Health and Children has expressed his views, and those of his Department, on the matter of alcohol advertising.
To speak of an all-out ban, one must consider the practicalities of the matter. Deputy O'Shea will be aware of the difficulty of achieving an effective ban which fulfils its objectives. A common approach to the problem here, in Britain and across Europe, is needed. It is all very well to regulate indigenous channels, but advertising on foreign channels cannot be controlled. Agreement to ban advertising on indigenous channels may well be reached, but that does not mean content on other channels can be similarly agreed. These issues will be the responsibility of the new commission, under the Broadcasting Bill, 1999. The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland will have more powers and responsibilities than the existing Independent Radio and Television Commission, including the specific responsibility of updating and revising the codes under section 19(1)(b) of the Bill.
So do we stick to the lowest common denominator ?
I put it to the Minister that she is not responding to a critical situation. She speaks of other member states of the EU who, unlike Ireland, do not have the worst juvenile abusers of alcohol. The Broadcasting Bill is before the Seanad, so it is not too late to do what we ask. The Minister for Health and Children and other Ministers have a role to play in this. Unfortunately the Minister is not sending a hopeful message to parents and those who are involved with young people. The Minister is handing the problem to a new organisation with new powers and in the process ignoring a terrible social problem for which we have quantifiable figures. Information made available this week indicates a connection between a relatively small amount of television advertising vis-à-vis alcohol and its abuse among young people.
I assure the Deputy that it is not a question of handing the problem to somebody else or not wishing to respond. We have to look at the situation. I have raised a number of questions regarding the practical problem of channels which are not indigenous. I look forward to speaking to the Minister for Health and Children on this issue, and we will see what will come of those discussions. It is important to outline that it is not a simplistic issue, it is quite complex and we do not have as much control in this regard as Deputy O'Shea would like. We must bear in mind that other channels are received by people. This issue which causes concern will be further discussed by my colleagues.