Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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373. To ask the Minister for Health the discussions that he has undertaken with the relevant members of Northern Ireland Executive regarding a joint approach to the introduction of minimum prices for alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48898/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Government has approved an extensive package of measures to deal with alcohol misuse to be incorporated in a Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. These measures are based on the recommendations contained in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, 2012 and include provisions for the introduction of minimum unit pricing for alcohol products. A health impact assessment, in conjunction with Northern Ireland, was commissioned in 2013, from the University of Sheffield, as part of the process of developing a legislative basis for minimum unit pricing. The health impact assessment studied the impact of different minimum prices on a range of areas such as health, crime and likely economic impact, with a view to setting a minimum unit price.

The Minister for Health in Northern Ireland has announced plans to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol. It is intended that a policy paper will be developed for consultation over the next few months and will be brought to the Executive for agreement. This consultation will shape and inform future decisions on any legislation needed to bring minimum unit pricing into law. My Department is in contact with our counterparts in the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on the matter.