Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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227. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will introduce a comprehensive statutory system of regulation for online unhealthy food and drinks marketing directed at children; the way in which the State is complying with the World Health Organisation protocol on monitoring food and beverage marketing to children via television and the Internet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30511/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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Section 42 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 requires the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to draw up and from time to time revise Broadcasting Codes on the standards and practice to be observed by Broadcasters.

In this context, the BAI has drawn up the Children's Commercial Communications Code which it published in September 2013. In finalising its Code, the BAI included the principle that all children’s commercial communications for fast food products, outlets and/or brands must display an acoustic or visual message stating ‘should be eaten in moderation and as part of a balanced diet'.

This Code makes specific provision for rules regarding the advertisement of foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) and is scheduled for review over the next 12 to18 months. It is my understanding that the BAI intends undertaking research as part of the review and will have regard to the experience in Ireland since the Code’s introduction.  As part of the review process, the BAI will also consider regulatory practices in other jurisdictions and plans to consult extensively with relevant stakeholders including the Department of Health, who have primary responsibility for promoting WHO protocols.

In addition, the BAI participated in a working group, established by the Minister for Health in 2015, to develop rules for marketing communications for food including HFSS on digital media. The working group has now concluded and a draft code has been submitted to the Department of Health for consideration.