Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 26:

In page 19, to delete lines 10 to 27 and substitute the following:"14. (1) Advertising, indirect advertising and other sales promotion of an alcohol product is prohibited if it is carried out or aimed at the general public in public places.".

The proposed amendments are in the spirit of this Bill. It is not just a public health measure but also a child protection measure. All evidence suggests that the earlier a person is initiated into alcohol consumption, the greater the likelihood of negative alcohol-related outcomes later in life. As such, one of the key aims of alcohol policy should be to delay that initiation into drinking among young people. Many of the measures in this Bill are targeted at that. For example, alcohol-related merchandise will not be sold in sizes suitable for children under this Bill, which is a good idea. However, the prohibition on outdoor advertising within 200 m of schools, while welcome, suggests that children only exist within the school environment. They have to come and go from school, they socialise and they live in communities. Where there is outdoor advertising, it is not possible to simply shield the eyes of the child. It does not work like that. The logic is that advertising will not be permitted within 200 m but will be allowed within 201 m. If we are serious about this it has to be more than a simple box-ticking exercise. Concrete measures must be taken on child protection.

The second amendment defines a "public place". If the purpose of the Bill is child protection and protection of public health, these amendments should be given serious consideration.