Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the point made by Senator Mary Ann O'Brien that there is a complete absence of labelling on alcohol products. Most products have some labelling but alcohol products do not carry health warnings or interventions. I shall give myself away slightly by saying the following. In order to read the alcohol content on a label that is on a bottle of wine I need more than a pair of glasses. The writing is so small that a microscope would be more appropriate. That makes it difficult to find out whether a product has a low alcohol content. At a minimum the level of alcohol should be prominently displayed. I agree with the Senator that the information on the label should be broader.

An enormous amount of issues have been raised by the Senators and there is much for me to reflect on. The information will be of assistance to me when I draft proposals and I look forward to returning for the second bout of the debate. I can assure the Senators that their comments shall make a large contribution to my deliberations, and that of the Government, on the issue.