Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 3:

In page 83, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following:

“Language of Information Required for Goods 103.(1) This section shall take effect on a date to be set by the Minister, no earlier than 31 December 2023 and no later than 1 January 2026, and shall have no effect on the packaging of products for sale prior to the date set by the Minister.

(2) In order to be considered, provided in a clear and comprehensible manner in accordance with section 101, all information specified in sections 101 and 102, as well as text conveying branding or messaging for marketing purposes, and shown on the label, container or packaging of a pre-packaged product, including information presented in stylised or artistic renderings of text, shall be shown in the Irish language or in both official languages, unless the product fulfils the criteria for exemption under subsection (4).

(3) In the event of the information referred to in subsection (2)being provided in both official languages—

(a) the text in the Irish language shall be first, where both languages feature on the same surface,

(b) the text in the Irish language shall be at least as prominent, as visible and as legible as the text in the English language,

(c) the lettering of the text in the Irish language shall not be smaller in size than the lettering in the text in the English language or in italic font where the English text is not,

(d) the text in the Irish language shall convey the same information as is conveyed by the text in the English language,

(e) no word of the text in the Irish language shall be abbreviated unless the word in the text in the English language, which is a translation thereof, is likewise abbreviated, and

(f) where there are one or more surfaces on the container or packaging of a pre-packaged product that are of at least the same size and prominence, the information shown on one surface may be shown in one official language if such information is shown in the other official language on one of those other surfaces.

(4) A product shall be exempt from the requirements under subsection (2)if it fulfils any of the following criteria and provides the required information in at least one official language on the label, container or packaging:

(a) a speciality imported product, not widely used and without a readily available substitute;

(b) a language-based product, such as a greeting card, book, talking toy or game, in which knowledge of the language used is a basic factor essential to the use of the product;

(c) a test market product for the duration of, and no longer than a year following the commencement of, its product trial; or

(d) a local product which is not available for sale on premises outside of the local authority area in which it is produced and the local authority areas which border that area.

(5) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the provision of information on pre-packaged goods in other languages in addition to those required under this section.”.