Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 385: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the findings of the 2008 report of the alcohol marketing communications monitoring body which indicates that the number of breaches of the alcohol marketing, communications and sponsorship code have trebled since 2007; her further views on whether this indicates that the voluntary code has failed; if she will introduce legislation to protect children and young people from aggressive and pervasive advertising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30508/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 386: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the review of the operation and adherence to the alcohol marketing, communications and sponsorship code had been completed by the end of June 2009 as per the commitment in the revised codes in 2008; if she will provide a copy of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30509/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 388: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has received the report of the National Youth Council of Ireland, Get Em Young, mapping young people's exposure to alcohol marketing here; her views on the findings of the report which indicate that the drinks industry is utilising 16 different channels to market and advertise to young people under 18 years of age; her further views on whether this indicates that the voluntary code has failed; if she will introduce legislation to protect children and young people from this marketing and advertising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30511/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 389: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of outdoor media locations where alcohol advertising cannot be placed because they are within 100 metres of the entrance of a primary or secondary school, designated youth clubs, scouting and girl guide premises; the locations which have been so designated which she was required to draw up as part of the revised alcohol marketing, communications and sponsorship code; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30512/09]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 385, 386, 388 and 389 together.

The overall conclusion reached by the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body (AMCMB) in their annual reports for 2007 and 2008 was that there continues to be overall compliance with the Codes to limit the exposure of young people to alcohol advertising. The AMCMB is satisfied that the media partners and the Irish alcohol industry are committed to ensuring that the Codes are adhered to by the organisations they represent.

The partners to the Codes have not completed a formal review of the operation of the Codes since the publication of the AMCMB 2008 Report on 10th July 2009. However, the code partners are committed to such a review taking place as soon as practicable. The locations where restrictions currently apply to the display of outdoor alcohol advertising are identified by the Outdoor Media companies who own the display areas in question. The Department does not have the number or the location of the places where restrictions apply. However, these companies have undertaken to adhere to the Code on alcohol advertising and take the necessary steps to replace alcohol advertising displays where new locations are identified or brought to their attention.

I am aware of the concerns expressed in the findings of the National Youth Council of Ireland's Report entitled "Get Em Young". The Codes on alcohol advertising and sponsorship seek to reduce exposure of young people to alcohol advertising but there are huge challenges being posed by the range of multimedia formats, both national and international, which are accessible to young people.