Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I call for the immediate reversal of the Government's decision to impose a new stand-alone labelling requirement on alcohol bottles sold in Ireland. Every Member supports the responsible consumption of alcohol and wants to reduce alcohol harm but this policy will do nothing to achieve that goal. It is a misguided solo run that puts Irish jobs and producers and our international reputation at risk, all for no proven public health gain.

The first point is simple: the labels will not work. That is not just my opinion; it is backed by decades of research. Numerous peer review studies show health warning labels on alcohol have, at best, marginal impact on drinking behaviour. Consumers are already well aware alcohol should be consumed in moderation.

Ireland has taken this step alone. We are now completely at odds with EU policy and the principles of the Single Market. The Assembly of European Wine Regions has publicly called for EU opposition to Ireland's labelling law. In short, we are shouting into the void while our European partners look on in disbelief and disapproval.

In addition to this, we face an imminent trade war with the US, to whom we export more than €1 billion worth of alcohol. We just fought to have the EU exclude liquor from its retaliatory tariffs, yet we plan to undo that work with these labels, which the US market does not want and will not accept. I call on this House to act. We need to support Irish producers, use common sense and scrap this damaging, costly and ineffective labelling policy before the damage becomes permanent.