Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications
Sponsorship of Major Sporting Events by Drinks Industry: Discussion (Resumed)
10:30 am
Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source
We need balance in this debate. As Senator Coghlan remarked, is the intention to ban alcohol advertising in the arts and music? Will it be a blanket ban across the board? We must come to a proper decision in this matter that will be acceptable to everybody concerned because we are reliant on that sponsorship, particularly in traditional industries such as the racing industry.
Ten percent of the drinks companies' revenue is expended on advertising. We should take 10% of that, and of the sponsorship given to all organisations, and put it towards highlighting responsible drinking. We should target the youth in that regard, particularly in terms of eradicating binge drinking. I believe a system can be devised that would keep everybody happy.
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