Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 162: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason he chose not to ban alcohol advertising in the Broadcasting Bill 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37132/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The regulation of alcohol in the State is a matter which falls to be addressed across a number of Departments, particularly by the Department of Health, who are the lead Department on the health-related issues of alcohol, but also by the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform through the Intoxicating Liquor legislation. At a European level the framework for the regulation of alcohol advertising in audiovisual media is set out under the Audiovisual Media Services Directive. The Directive provides that adverts by media service providers for alcoholic beverages shall not be aimed specifically at minors and shall not encourage immoderate consumption.

The Broadcasting Act 2001 provides, under Section 19, for the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland to draw up codes and standards in respect of advertising, including alcohol advertising. The regulation of alcohol advertising is addressed in the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland's General Advertising Code. The General Advertising Code was published in 2007 following a lengthy consultative process. The code provides for the detailed regulation of alcohol advertising including prohibiting commercial communications for drinks which contain alcohol content of 25% or above. This means that advertising drinks such as vodka, whiskey, rum, tequila, gin and brandy is prohibited. The same applies in respect of alcopops. I have provided under Section 42(9) of the Broadcasting Bill for the continuation of this code.