Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept the Minister of State's reply. It is a step in the right direction. The label has to serve its purpose and be visible. The original intent was for the label to draw attention to the fact that the product contained something deleterious to a person's health.

However, in the circumstances, the best that can be done is to make the warning available so that it can be read. Incidentally, not all warnings and ingredients labelling on products sold throughout the country at the present time are visible. Perhaps they are visible if one has a microscope. The rule concerning one third of the labelling was designed to make the printed information on products sufficiently large to be able to see it in all kinds of circumstances. The fact that there is a warning needs to draw attention to the health issues involved.

I agree entirely with the proposal and hope that it will comply with EU law. I am told that the EU has indicated that it will, but one never knows. The proposal, if enacted, can be challenged, as can all legislation.