Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)
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I thank Senator Fitzgerald for facilitating me in my desire to speak first in the debate. I also thank the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, for attending and the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to deal with the matter. While some will deliberately misinterpret my raising of this important issue to suggest I am a killjoy, I hope Members will listen carefully to what I have to say.

We are continually aware from reports of Irish people's abuse rather than use of alcohol. We are continually warned of the rise in levels of obesity. We are continually encouraged as communities to move more and more towards healthier living and to engage in exercise beyond the raising of a glass. We hope that our children in the schools do the same and that our new generations are not exposed to the obesity levels predicted for them.

I combine these thoughts and point out that as a person who, like many males and females, enjoys participating in the very popular sport or fad of dieting, there is a current lapse in the provision of vital information, a deficit which must be addressed. I refer to the move to labelling in the food world. There is increasing use of labelling with regard to salt, protein, carbohydrates, saturated and unsaturated fat, sugar levels and so forth, as well as allergy warnings for the presence of, for example, nuts, and quality assurance and country of origin labelling. Most notably, there is a labelling of calorie content per 100 grammes and by packet content — this is often left at an index figure but is sometimes converted into a weight watchers points tally.

Whether one is on a diet, the information given is of interest and relevance to many. It gives people the right to choose one tin of tuna over another. As people become more aware of the fact one tin of beans may well have twice the calorie content of another brand, they will soon make the consumer choice to suit their new knowledge base. Of course, if the lower calorie product is not tasty, the product will not ultimately succeed or at least the diet will change course.

What I have said thus far could not be considered in any way controversial or an over-the-top requirement. Much discussion is ongoing in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food about food labelling. Therefore, I ask why the same level of interest is not generated in what we drink. The issue of where a product came from, what it contains and how strong it is may be addressed on the labels of many products but how many of us are aware of the calorie content of the full or quarter bottle of red or white wine we are consuming? Is it not strange we know how many calories are in a 330 ml can of Diet Coke, a 500 ml bottle of Diet Club Orange or in 100 ml of a diluted soft drink? This is easily broken down to give us a sense of how good we are being when we indulge, although on another day we should consider how healthy are E-numbers and sugar replacements.

It is no accident this calorie information is not readily available on alcohol products. At least one company supplying the "light" version of its product has put the calorie content per 100 ml on bottles and cans — they are not light on alcohol but light on calories. Some of the other "light" alcohol drinks are light on alcohol content but omit the calorie information. In either case, the information is not complete and, while I might assume what may be termed the "light" aspect is either calorie or alcohol content, I may not necessarily be correct, particularly if the information is not provided.

My basic point is simple. I am a consumer. I want the choice of purchasing a product on an informed basis. If I am watching my weight, why can I be facilitated by the food industry but not the drinks industry? This is a market to be tapped, and it may challenge some producers to produce a lighter product. That research and development aspect would provide a new career opportunity for some. It would challenge them to produce a product that people still wanted to drink when compared to the original product. However, it may also let those who realise they have consumed a bottle of wine, six pints, six alcopops or half a bottle of vodka or gin on a night's socialising know a little more as to why their latest food-fad diet is not working and educate them into exercising more choice.

I speak as one who wants to see the alternatives develop, whether this is in the form of high or low alcohol content. Variety would definitely be a great aspiration but to have the truth of the content of recurrent products made visible to consumers would be an important start.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. I take the Adjournment on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney.

I welcome the opportunity to set out the current position in regard to the labelling of alcohol products in Ireland. Labelling is one of the key elements of food and drink safety. It provides the consumer with the information necessary to make healthy choices regarding consumption. In this regard, alcohol labelling is of paramount importance.

The dangers of excessive alcohol consumption are well-documented. For example, earlier this year a report entitled "The Coombe Women's Hospital Study of Alcohol, Smoking and Illicit Drug Use 1988-2005" was launched. The results of this study in regard to alcohol consumption among pregnant mothers were a huge concern given the growing evidence and research into the link between alcohol and foetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The particular pattern and prevalence of binge drinking among the female population of child-bearing age in Ireland significantly increased the likelihood of harm being caused to a developing foetus.

Legislation on food and drink labelling is developed within the European Union regulatory framework. Directive 2000/13/EC, as amended. It provides the legislative framework for the information that must be indicated on the labelling of foodstuffs for sale to the ultimate consumer. The scope of the directive encompasses all foodstuffs, which includes alcoholic beverages. Its aim is to ensure that the consumer gets all the essential information as regards the composition of the product, the manufacturer, methods of storage, preparation and so on. Producers and manufacturers are free to provide whatever additional information they wish, provided it is accurate and does not mislead the consumer.

With regard to alcoholic beverages, allergens must be labelled as well as alcoholic strength for beverages with alcohol content greater than 1.2% by volume. Currently, the listing of ingredients is not required for alcoholic beverages. However, the legislation states the intention to bring forward rules for the labelling of the ingredients of alcoholic beverages. Thus, the derogation from the requirement to list ingredients is a temporary one.

The European Commission is currently reviewing labelling legislation in order to recast and modernise its provisions. The labelling of alcoholic beverages will of course be considered in the context of this review. The objective will be to address the lack of obligation upon the producer to label the ingredients of alcohol. The Commission has also indicated that the review will explore the feasibility and viability of using warning labels on the containers of alcoholic beverages to raise awareness on the harmful effect of alcohol on health.

In February 2006 member states were invited to make submissions on an EU consultative document entitled "Labelling, Competitiveness, Consumer Information and Better Regulation for the EU". As part of the consultation process, member states were asked to consider whether health warnings on alcoholic beverages could be an effective means to inform consumers about risks associated with inappropriate consumption of alcohol. At the request of the Department of Health and Children, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland undertook a public consultation exercise. The observations received assisted in developing the Irish response to the questions raised. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food was also consulted, as it is responsible at national level for some directives relating to foodstuffs.

The Department of Health and Children responded to the Commission consultation, suggesting, inter alia, that the script on labels on alcohol products should be of sufficient size to allow for general readability and be clear so that the reference to light products would distinguish between light in calories and light in alcohol; labels should list ingredients and display calorie content; and an indication of origin should be compulsory on all spirits. The response also noted that the strategic task force on alcohol in 2004 recommended that a health warning label be placed on all alcohol products and alcohol promotional materials. It was suggested that the concept of health warnings on alcoholic beverages be further developed following the publication of the EU alcohol strategy in 2006.

It is expected the Commission will issue a draft labelling regulation in December of this year. Member states will then be given an opportunity to debate this document at length. The Department of Health and Children is committed to robustly advocating the benefits of the points raised in our submission. We would expect that the developments which I have outlined to the House will ensure a comprehensive approach to food and beverage labelling will be achieved.