Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Health if his preferred policy instrument in terms of combatting the misuse of alcohol especially by teenagers and young persons is for minimum alcohol pricing, increased tax on alcohol or the banning of below cost selling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32881/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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In its report on alcohol, the National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group recommended - among other things - the introduction of a legislative basis for minimum pricing per gram of alcohol. As minimum pricing is a mechanism of imposing a statutory floor in price levels for alcohol products that must be legally observed by retailers, its primary function would be thus to discourage at risk levels of alcohol consumption. This recommendation is being actively considered as part of the development of an Action Plan in advance of proposals being drafted for Government.