Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when she will introduce the Alcohol Products Bill; if she has been lobbied by the alcohol industry to cancel it in favour of voluntary agreements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35465/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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A recommendation contained in the Interim Report of the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol calls for a reduction in the exposure of children and adolescents to alcohol advertising, marketing and sponsorship. In response to this, my Department entered into negotiations with the broadcasting, media and drinks industries while at the same time pursuing the development of legislation to restrict alcohol advertising, sponsorship and sales promotions/marketing practices. It was agreed that the industry would respond on an incremental basis. This has resulted in the establishment of Central Copy Clearance Ireland which addresses the issue of the content of advertisements, the development of a Voluntary Code of Practice on Advertising which addresses the issue of placement and the establishment of the Alcohol Marketing and Communications Monitoring Body to oversee the implementation of the Voluntary Code. As the Minister for Health and Children has previously indicated, she will await the Annual Report of the Monitoring Body before deciding on future actions in relation to legislation on this issue.