Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 108: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is in the position to give further direction to the Broadcasting Commission on the need for tighter restrictions on advertising aimed at children following proposals by a company (details supplied) to voluntarily restrict advertising aimed at children under 12 and the reported proposals that Ofcom in the UK are considering restricting advertisements of food products high in sugar and salt in television programming which attracts an audience of children under 16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5356/07]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 124: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the recent decision by a company (details supplied) to end advertising aimed at under 12s; and his views on the introduction of legislation to restrict advertising directed at children. [5300/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 124 together.

I am aware of the recent decision made by a company in relation to advertising aimed at children under 12 years of age. This is of course an important issue which highlights the need for protecting the most vulnerable sector of our society from exploitation. Section 19(1)(c) of the Broadcasting Act, 2001, provides that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland shall, upon being directed by the Minister to do so, prepare a code specifying standards to be complied with, and rules and practices to be observed, in respect of advertising, tele-shopping material, sponsorship and other forms of commercial promotion employed in any broadcasting service or sound broadcasting service which relate to matters likely to be of direct or indirect interest to children.

The Children's Advertising Code drawn up by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland on foot of this legislative provision sets down measures to be complied with in such areas as endorsement of products by children, protection of children from scenes which will cause distress to them and standards in the area of advertising relating to diet and nutrition. The Children's Advertising Code became fully operational on 1 January 2005. It applies to all Irish broadcasting services licensed in Ireland.