Jackie Cahill
Ceist:420. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the timeframe in which he will seek a revised decision to implement minimum unit pricing here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8263/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 19 February 2019
Ceisteanna (420, 421, 422)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:421. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if a deadline for seeking a revised decision on implementing minimum unit pricing here will be set; the reason for the failure to do so since the enactment of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8264/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraJackie Cahill
Ceist:422. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a study which shows that alcohol pricing is not the primary determinant of cross-Border shopping in view of the fact it constitutes just 12% of all spend on cross-Border trips; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8265/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 420 to 422, inclusive, together.
I welcome the Deputy's support for this important public health measure.
I intend to seek a revised Government Decision to implement Minimum Unit Pricing after 30 March, by which time there should be more certainty in relation to the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union and its impacts.
The 12% figure quoted by the Deputy is contained in 2013 research on Minimum Unit Pricing from the University of Sheffield. That research was commissioned by my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Health in Northern Ireland, and forms part of the evidence base for the effectiveness of Minimum Unit Pricing as a measure to address the health harms and costs of alcohol.