Seanad debates
Thursday, 19 June 2003
Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage.
One of the problems we now face is that we cannot control what is carried on Sky Television or UTV. RTÉ, for instance, has a policy of not advertising spirits but Irish whiskey is now being advertised on UK channels beamed into Ireland. Under EU law, we cannot unilaterally adopt measures that could affect the sale of drink between countries or simply say advertising of drinks should be prohibited in its entirety. Whatever we do has to be notified to the European Union and must also be subject to its controls. It is not that I am not mindful of this issue but it is not the responsibility of my Department to take steps in this regard – it is more a matter for the Department of Health and Children. It will not be easy and anybody who thinks it will is deluding himself or herself. It is more complex than making a black and white decision that there should be no advertising.
No comments