Robert Troy
Ceist:214. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the research carried out in advance of the minimum unit pricing Bill particularly in the context of the possible loss of business cross-Border. [27717/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 30 June 2021
Ceisteanna (214, 215)
Robert Troy
Ceist:215. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when minimum unit pricing legislation will be introduced in Northern Ireland. [27718/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 215 together.
Provision for minimum unit pricing is contained in the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018. The measures in the Act were first approved by Government for drafting in 2013. Research was carried out on a range of measures proposed for inclusion in the Bill including public attitudes to the proposed measures, labelling provisions and minimum unit pricing. Research on minimum unit pricing was carried out by Sheffield University Alcohol Research Group and by CJP Consultants. No specific research on potential impacts on cross-border trade was carried out at that time as the Government Decision approving the drafting of the Bill envisaged that the measure would be introduced simultaneously in Northern Ireland and in the Republic.
Earlier this year, my counterpart in Northern Ireland, Minister Robin Swann set out that his Department would not have the capacity to implement minimum unit pricing during his mandate. In order to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with the way alcohol is currently consumed here, including the loss of over 1000 lives each year, the Government decided to act on minimum unit pricing without waiting for Northern Ireland to introduce the measure.
In relation to impacts on border trade the Government took into account the evidence from Scotland which introduced minimum unit pricing in 2018 and which borders England which has not introduced the measure.
To examine any potential impacts on border retailers, NHS Health Scotland commissioned Frontier Economics to evaluate the impact of minimum unit pricing on producers and retailers of alcoholic drinks in Scotland in the nine months following its introduction. The report, “Evaluating the impacts on the alcoholic drinks industry in Scotland: baseline evidence and initial impacts”, published in October 2019, found that no retailers or producers reported closing stores or production facilities, reducing staff numbers, or reducing investment because of minimum unit pricing. It also found no evidence of minimum unit pricing having a significant impact on the profitability, turnover or employment of Scottish retailers located near the border.
The timing of the introduction of minimum unit pricing in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive.
Question No. 215 answered with Question No. 214.