Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals for banning junk food advertising aimed at young people; his time-frame for this proposal; if this will be addressed by the Broadcasting Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14658/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Section 19(1)(c) of the Broadcasting Act, 2001, provides that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) 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 BCI is an independent statutory organisation responsible, inter alia, for the development of codes.

Under the newly adopted Audiovisual Media Services Directive, EU Member States and the European Commission are required to encourage media service providers to develop codes of conduct regarding inappropriate audiovisual commercial communication, accompanying or included in children's programmes, of foods and beverages containing nutrients and substances with a nutritional or physiological effect. This relates in particular to those such as fat, trans-fatty acids, salt/sodium and sugars, excessive intakes of which in the overall diet are not recommended. While Member States have until December 2009 to transpose this requirement I propose to use the opportunity afforded by the forthcoming Broadcasting Bill 2008 to bring forward proposals in this regard.