Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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566. To ask the Minister for Health when sections 13 and 19 of the Public Health Alcohol Act 2018 will be commenced in view of the findings of a recent research study (details supplied) which highlights children's exposure to alcohol marketing in sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49524/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Research evidence consistently shows that exposure to alcohol advertising is associated with an increased likelihood that children will start to drink alcohol or will drink greater quantities if they already do. This is why our Public Health (Alcohol) Act contains strong measures to limit the exposure of our children to alcohol marketing.

Section 15 and 16 of the Act will come into force on 12 November. These provisions restrict alcohol advertising and sponsorship promoting alcohol products, and include a ban on alcohol advertising and sponsorship at events aimed particularly at children or at which the majority of participants or competitors are children. These measures will help to ensure that children can grow up in circumstances where they are not regularly exposed to alcohol products and alcohol advertising.

Section 13 of the Act deals with the content of advertisements for alcohol products. This section cannot be commenced until regulations under it have been made. Draft regulations under section 13 are currently being developed by my Department; upon finalisation they must be submitted to the European Commission for assessment as to whether they are in alignment with Single Market principles.

Section 19 restricts the hours permitted for advertising alcohol products on television and radio. Further consultation with the Broadcasting Authority and the Department of Communications, Climate Change and Environment and the HSE is necessary before the section can be commenced.