10 Samh 2011, 17:38
The Committee on Health and Children today, Thursday, 10th November continued its examination of the effects of alcohol marketing on young people when it met with a selection of industry representatives and Alcohol Action Ireland, a national charity for alcohol-related issues.
Chairman of the Committee on Health and Children, Jerry Buttimer, TD said: \"Today’s meeting was an opportunity for the Committee to address the serious concerns of Members regarding alcohol misuse. It was a welcome surprise that there was some degree of common ground among all three groups about the need to address the issue of alcohol pricing. However there are significant differences on how best to implement any such policy. Suggestions included a re-introduction of the groceries order for alcohol only, banning below cost selling, minimum prices based on alcohol content and taxation changes.
There is a clear willingness in the Committee to work in a cross-party manner to address the issue of substance misuse. Over the coming weeks the Committee will continue to focus and prioritise the issues of alcohol use, marketing and pricing. At the end of this period it is our intention to prepare a comprehensive report on our deliberations. It is my intention that our report will assist the Government in its plans to address the problem of alcohol misuse in a comprehensive way.”
Ends
For further information please contact:
Cáit Hayes,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3883
M: 087-9190300
F: +3531 618 4551
cait.hayes@oireachtas.ie
Committee Membership
Deputies
Jerry Buttimer, Fine Gael
Catherine Byrne, Fine Gael
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Fein
Ciara Conway, Labour Party
Regina Doherty, Fine Gael
Robert Dowds, Labour Party
Peter Fitzpatrick, Fine Gael
Seamus Healy, Independent
Derek Keating, Fine Gael
Billy Kelleher, Fianna Fail
Eamonn Maloney, Labour Party
Charlie McConalogue, Fianna Fail
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Denis Naughten, Fine Gael
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Sinn Fein
Senators
Colm Burke, Fine Gael
John Crown, Independent
David Cullinane, Sinn Fein
John Gilroy, Labour Party
Imelda Henry, Fine Gael
Marc Mac Sharry, Fianna Fail
Jillian Van Turnhout, Independent
There is a clear willingness in the Committee to work in a cross-party manner to address the issue of substance misuse. Over the coming weeks the Committee will continue to focus and prioritise the issues of alcohol use, marketing and pricing. At the end of this period it is our intention to prepare a comprehensive report on our deliberations. It is my intention that our report will assist the Government in its plans to address the problem of alcohol misuse in a comprehensive way.”
Ends
For further information please contact:
Cáit Hayes,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3883
M: 087-9190300
F: +3531 618 4551
cait.hayes@oireachtas.ie
Committee Membership
Deputies
Jerry Buttimer, Fine Gael
Catherine Byrne, Fine Gael
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Fein
Ciara Conway, Labour Party
Regina Doherty, Fine Gael
Robert Dowds, Labour Party
Peter Fitzpatrick, Fine Gael
Seamus Healy, Independent
Derek Keating, Fine Gael
Billy Kelleher, Fianna Fail
Eamonn Maloney, Labour Party
Charlie McConalogue, Fianna Fail
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Denis Naughten, Fine Gael
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Sinn Fein
Senators
Colm Burke, Fine Gael
John Crown, Independent
David Cullinane, Sinn Fein
John Gilroy, Labour Party
Imelda Henry, Fine Gael
Marc Mac Sharry, Fianna Fail
Jillian Van Turnhout, Independent