Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I agree with the Minister that its overall objective is to contribute to the reduction of the harmful use of alcohol in our country. It is disappointing that Irish people between the ages of 18 and 24 are top of the EU list for binge drinking. Ireland also ranks joint third for binge drinking in a World Health Organization analysis of 194 countries. I also agree that we must all take personal responsibility for our actions.

I support the idea of providing consumers with accurate information so that they can make fully informed decisions when purchasing alcohol products. The health risks and benefits associated with drinking are too complex and detailed to be communicated on a label. The Minister might consider the system currently adopted in France or the United States. The label in France states that the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy, even in small amounts, can have severe consequences on the health of the child. The mandatory advertising in France states that excessive alcohol consumption or alcohol abuse is dangerous for the health. Non-mandatory advertising states that alcohol is to be enjoyed in moderation. The Government warning in the United States is that "[a]ccording to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects" and that "[c]onsumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery". In many cases it may cause health problems.

Various health studies have shown that moderate consumption of alcohol may be associated with certain health benefits, including protective effects against cardiovascular disease and diabetes. However, studies have also found that regular heavy drinking has been associated with some illnesses, including liver diseases, high blood pressure and an increased risk of certain types of cancer. A focus on one health issue alone does not give a full or accurate picture to help consumers make an informed choice about drinking.

The link between cancer and alcohol consumption is far from settled, despite hundreds of epidemiological studies that have researched this issue. Cancer is a complex disease that is not entirely understood, and research continues. The causality of alcohol and cancer cannot be determined on the basis of epidemiological studies. Furthermore, the existing epidemiological studies cannot and do not account for the multitudes of confounding factors. It is noteworthy that all cancers for which alcohol is a risk factor also occur in the absence of drinking.

We must not apply a stigma to products produced in Ireland and give a clear advantage to our competition abroad, which is not required to carry such labels, such as producers of Scotch whisky or American whiskey. We cannot tell our export market that those products are better than Irish whiskey or else Irish whiskey will not exist. Risks, therefore, should be communicated clearly and accurately and should avoid scaremongering. There are also concerns that the proposal will result in regulatory divergence from the rest of the EU at a time when Brexit means that we need the support of the EU colleagues more than ever. I encourage the Minister to look at this section of the regulation again.

I recently visited the Cooley Distillery in Riverstown, Dundalk, County Louth, which has been in operation since 1987. It employs over 70 people directly and many more indirectly in an area where employment is limited. The company that owns Cooley Distillery has invested €14 million in the site since it purchased the facility in mid-2012. A new warehouse was built, existing equipment was significantly upgraded, and a new mash tun was installed, along with energy and water conservation infrastructure. This investment increases productivity, promotes sustainability, protects jobs and improves health and safety. Since 2011 shipment from this site has increased by 400%. The manager of the distillery stated to me that future investments in this facility could be in jeopardy if the perception that Ireland is a negative market in which to operate develops. This in turn could impact on jobs and investment in the local economy. He suggested that whatever is agreed can be applied in the form of a sticker. This would help with smaller producers and importers.

Other primary policy objectives include reducing alcohol consumption to 9.1 litres of pure alcohol per person per annum by 2020. In 2015 it was at 10.9 litres of pure alcohol per person. Another policy objective is to delay the initiation of alcohol consumption by children and young people. A recent European school survey project on alcohol and other drugs found that seven out of ten 15 to 16 year olds had already drunk alcohol. The Bill also seeks to reduce the harm caused by the misuse of alcohol. The same survey found that a quarter of Irish girls and almost a fifth of Irish boys have reported being injured or involved in an accident due to alcohol.

The introduction of minimum unit prices is another aim of the Bill. A minimum unit price of 10 cent per gram of alcohol will apply to licensed premises and will be measured in pub measures. A pint of Heineken will have a minimum price of €2.25. A pint of Budweiser will have a minimum price of €1.80. A pint of Bulmers cider will have a minimum price of €2.02. A measure of Jameson whiskey will have a minimum price of €1.12. As is clear, this will have no impact on the prices in our pubs, clubs and restaurants.

The Bill will also provide for restrictions on the contents, placement and volume of alcohol advertising. The aim of these provisions is to protect children from exposure to alcohol advertising and to address advertising that links alcohol with positive, healthy lifestyles or social success. The advertising of alcohol products is prohibited in or on a sports area where sports are taking place, at an event aimed particularly at children, or an event where the majority of individuals taking part are children.

The Bill also provides for the drafting of regulations by the Minister for Health to prohibit or restrict certain type of promotions, for example, buy one alcoholic product and get another one free, or student night promotions. The intention of this provision is to prohibit promotions which encourage risky drinking, for example, those which encourage individuals to purchase or drink more than they intend or to drink faster than they intend.

I am a pioneer. I have never drunk alcohol in my life. I am not anti-drinking. I believe in drinking less and drinking better. I appeal to the Minister to have a look at my suggestion on labelling. I was disappointed with one of my colleagues for using the Dáil bar as an excuse to talk about alcohol. I have been a Deputy for the last seven years and I have never once seen anybody abuse alcohol. I go into the bar regularly to get my tea and scone and I can take people into the bar as well.

The only problem with the Dáil bar is that there are outstanding debts. The people who have outstanding debts should be given a time period in which to pay up. After that, if they want to go into the Dáil bar for a drink, they will have to pay there and then.

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