Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Many of them have given their own time and put their own professional and medical expertise out there in order to benefit and inform us. They are not lobbyists, they are advocates and patriots. They have made a real difference and I thank them for their leadership. Anybody in this country has a right to lobby on any side of any argument. I do not think we would have gotten to this point were it not for the support we have had from public health advocates, some of whom are joining us today, and many of whom have soldiered on in respect of this Bill for quite a period.

I wish to inform the Seanad and the people of this country of what I intend to do now. This Bill will now go to the President to be signed into law. Once that happens, I intend to move very quickly - in fact, immediately - to commence a number of its provisions. On enactment, I intend to immediately propose commencement of section 14 on the prohibition of advertising in certain places, section 17 on children's clothing, section 20 on advertising in cinemas and section 22 on separation and visibility of alcohol products and advertising for alcohol products in specified licensed premises. To reply to Senator Swanick, I will indeed have officials engaged with retailers on the practicalities of that in order that they can be prepared. I also intend to immediately commence section 15 on advertising during events and section 16 on sponsorship. I also intend to commence the regulation-making power in section 12 on labelling and section 13 on the content of advertising immediately. This will enable the necessary regulations for these sections to be drafted and notified at an EU level. So while some of these provisions have lead-in times, I intend to commence them immediately so that the clock starts ticking.

On the issue of minimum unit pricing, Government approval was originally given for this on the basis that it would be introduced simultaneously in Northern Ireland. Great progress has been made in Northern Ireland in that regard. Obviously, we do not currently have an Northern Ireland Executive with which to interact. As a result, I intend to return to Government to seek approval for this measure. I do not believe we can wait for ever in respect of this issue. I know that Wales is introducing this next year. One would generally go to the Government on such issues and introduce a starting date. I intend to do that shortly.

Alcohol damages our health, it harms our communities and it hurts many families. The measures in this Bill are designed to change that relationship. I look forward to the measures in the Bill leading to a lasting improvement in the health and well-being of our families, friends and country. I thank all Senators and Deputies for their contribution to the debate and for their constructive engagement. It is a great pleasure for me to see this Bill finally passing through the Oireachtas.