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

It has taken more than 900 days to bring this Bill to where it is now. This is a practical first step in the right direction. It may not tick all the boxes but as we continue, hopefully it will. A core aim of the Bill is to delay alcohol consumption by children and young people and reduce the harm caused by the misuse of alcohol. The Bill also has significant relevance to children living in Ireland. Where a child enters his or her own local shop or garage, he or she will not see alcohol products or alcohol advertising in the general area of the shop. Clothing intended for wear by children that refers to or promotes an alcohol product will not be manufactured, imported or sold in the State. When a child watches TV between 3 a.m. and 9 p.m. alcohol advertising will not be aired. When a child attends an event specifically for children, he or she will be exposed to alcohol images or messages. When a child attends and age-appropriate film in a cinema, he or she will not be exposed to alcohol advertising. As a child enters or leaves his or her school or crèche, and in the surrounding 200 m, he or she will not be exposed to alcohol images or messages. When a child plays in a public authority park, he or she will not be exposed to alcohol advertising. As a child waits for and boards public transport or a school bus, he or she will not be exposed to these images or messages. These are all clearly stated in the Bill. It is the Minister's intention that the Bill will address the consumption of alcohol particularly by young people and the difficulties we have in this country with the consumption of alcohol, especially among young people and young adults.