Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his reason for not including an alcohol advertising ban in the Broadcasting Bill 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21393/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The regulation of alcohol advertising is a matter which falls to be addressed by a number of Government Departments including the Department of Health and Children and my Department in respect of broadcasting.

As the deputy will be aware the Department of Health and Children recently revised its voluntary code of standards in respect of alcohol advertising. This code was developed in association with the Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland (IAPI), the Association of Advertisers in Ireland (AAI), and Drinks Industry Group Ireland (DIGI) with a view to minimising the exposure of young people to alcohol advertising including broadcast advertising.

In respect of broadcast advertising, section 42(1) of the Broadcasting Bill 2008 requires the new single content regulator, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, to develop an advertising code, including advertising in respect of alcohol, which protects the interests of audiences.

Section 42(9) of the Broadcasting Bill 2008 also provides for the interim continuance of the Advertising Code published by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland on 10 April 2007.

Part 8 of the BCI Advertising Code prescribes certain requirements in respect of alcohol advertising, including, as the Deputy will be aware, a ban on the advertising of certain categories of alcohol drinks.