Gerald Nash (Labour) | Oireachtas source

This is why, unlike others, I attempted to speak to the amendments. We could all have made Second Stage speeches but there is a vast range of amendments we need to get through today. I agree with the Minister of State on that front. In my earlier remarks, I asked the Minister of State to comment on the discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive about the choreography of the implementation of minimum unit pricing because that choreography is, as she accepts and understands, extremely important if we are to achieve the ambitions of this legislation which is, as she notes, long awaited. I would appreciate some clarity on that in so far as the Minister of State can provide it. Obviously, she reserves the right as Minister of State to commence the legislation and that is what this amendment allows her to do but it would be useful for us if she put on the public record the status of her discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive and when she expects minimum unit pricing to be introduced in Northern Ireland so we can proceed with this legislation and realise its ambition. In respect of section 17, the Minister of State mentioned some exemption pertaining to print media. Could she elaborate on that?