Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and her Department for their work on this Bill. It is a massive and complex piece of legislation, and there have been many amendments submitted by Senators. They have worked very hard. I hope they can rest and recuperate over the recess. I also thank the Minister for her consideration of many of the amendments tabled on Committee Stage and her production of amendments that satisfy people's concerns regarding some of the issues raised.

I am very pleased that there are Government amendments that extend the language around the public health interest of children into the section of the legislation dealing with the creation of online safety codes. I am also delighted that an coimisiún will be empowered to prohibit or restrict content or advertising relating to food and beverages harmful to children's health. This is crucial

I tabled this amendment as a means of clarifying whether alcohol is included in the Government amendments to this section. The briefing document provided by the Department refers to "foods or beverages considered to be the subject of public concern in respect of the general public health interest of children". It seems obvious that a literal interpretation of this language includes alcohol products, the public health risks relating to which are well known if insufficiently understood. Out of an abundance of caution, however, I just wanted to confirm that this is the case. If so, I will happily withdraw my amendment.