Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 84: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the recommendations of the task force on alcohol; if, in relation to each recommendation, it has been implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15399/06]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 163: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to produce a written policy on alcohol. [15567/06]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 164: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason her Department has neither an official adviser on alcohol, nor plans to appoint such an adviser to assist with the formulation of both policy and legislation on alcohol and with delineating a formal stance on the drinks industry, in view of the difficulties Ireland is experiencing with alcohol abuse. [15568/06]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 165: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Question No. 160 of 28 March 2006, the recommendations that the working group on alcohol made with respect to having alcohol excluded from below-cost selling upon the revocation of the groceries order; which of these recommendations were conveyed to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; if any were conveyed to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment before the conclusion of the Competition (Amendment) Bill; and if not, the reason for same. [15569/06]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 166: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason she has no plans to set up an office of alcohol control, in view of the annual cost of alcohol and the consequences of its abuse to the Irish Exchequer. [15570/06]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 167: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether experts on foetal alcohol spectrum disorders should be involved in assessment of the need for pregnancy-specific warnings on alcoholic beverages; and if she will ensure that such experts are appointed to the working group on alcohol. [15571/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 163 to 167, inclusive, together.

The Strategic Task Force on Alcohol was established in January 2002 and was given a remit to recommend specific evidence based measures to Government to prevent and reduce alcohol related harm. It has published two reports which together provide approximately 100 recommendations across a wide range of sectors. Significant progress has already been made across Departments in implementing the task force's recommendations.

Legislative measures which have been adopted include the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 which assists in regulating availability. "Happy hours" have been abolished and restrictions on the access of children to licensed premises have been introduced. The Road Traffic Act 2003 extended the grounds for requesting a breath test to detect alcohol and the Minister for Transport has indicated his commitment to the introduction of random breath testing.

A Voluntary Code of Practice on Alcohol Advertising has been agreed between the Department of Health and Children and the drinks, media and advertising industries. This addresses many of the concerns in relation to alcohol advertising. The Tánaiste indicated her intention to introduce legislation if there is insufficient adherence to the voluntary code.

Significant progress has also been made in terms of research projects, the delivery of responsible server training, awareness-raising campaigns etc. Community mobilisation projects have been identified internationally as one of the most effective measures at reducing alcohol related harm. have been allocated to the Health Service Executive to support such projects here.

The recommendations of the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol, together with those of the Working Group on Alcohol Misuse established under Sustaining Progress, constitute my Department's policy on alcohol and there are currently no plans to produce a further written policy.

The executive functions of this Department have transferred to the Health Service Executive which will now have responsibility for progressing many of the recommendations outlined in these reports. It is a matter for the HSE to decide on the structural requirements and levels of expertise needed in this regard. Currently there are no plans to establish an office of alcohol control or to appoint a national adviser on alcohol policy in this Department. I am confident that the implementation of the recommendations will lead to a reduction in alcohol related harm and its associated cost to the Exchequer.

The issue of the information contained on labels on alcoholic beverages was considered by the working group on alcohol, which was established to help mobilise the stakeholders through social partnership to achieve a targeted and measurable reduction in alcohol misuse. The report recommended that a group, representative of all relevant stakeholders, would be established to consider what useful information could be included on non-draught alcohol products, taking account of international evidence. Any future action on the recommendations contained in that report, including the issue of the information on labels, will involve consultation with all the appropriate stakeholders including experts on foetal alcohol syndrome.

The views of the working group on alcohol in relation to below cost selling of alcohol and the abolition of the groceries order were conveyed to the Tánaiste for discussion at Cabinet.