Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Amendments Nos. 26 and 27 propose to extend the restriction on advertising to all public places. They would result in an effective prohibition on all outdoor advertising. This is the first time that alcohol has been legislated for as a public health measure and that the advertising of alcohol has been addressed from a public health perspective. As a first step in restricting the advertising of alcohol products outdoors, it was considered appropriate to target the restrictions at areas most frequented by children and young people. The Bill, therefore, provides that a person shall not advertise, or cause the advertisement of an alcohol product in a park or open space owned or maintained by a local authority or the Office of Public Works, OPW; in or on a public service vehicle; in or on a train or on a light rail vehicle; in or at a train or bus station; at a designated bus or Luas stop, in or at a school, including its grounds, or within 200 m of the perimeter of the grounds; in or at a place where an early years service is carried on or within 200 m of its perimeter; or in or at a playground owned or maintained by a local authority or within 200 m of the perimeter of such playground.

Section 21 provides that there must be a review of all the advertising provisions within three years of the commencement of that section. The issue of advertising restrictions will be revisited as part of this review. I do not propose, therefore, to accept the amendments.