Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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197. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 312 of 9 October 2025, if her attention has been drawn to Coimisiún na Meán’s published Work Programme 2025 (details supplied) which is in contradiction to the previous response, there is no reference to including the regulation of infant and follow-on formula advertising in the work programme; if she will review same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57539/25]

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Health is aware of the publication of Coimisiún na Meán’s 2025 work plan and is aware that there is no commitment to introduce regulation of infant and follow-on formula advertising. The Health & Wellbeing Unit will continue to engage with An Coimisiún with regards to their commitment to explore matters relating to the advertising of high fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) foods. The Health & Wellbeing Unit in the Department of Health have previously engaged with An Coimisiún regarding restricting the advertising of infant formula, including follow-on formula. The Department has made two submissions as part of the Interdepartmental Working Group focused on the restriction of marketing of foods high in fat, salt and sugar and follow on infant formula. The public consultations were held by Coimisiún na Meán in January and December 2024. During conversations between An Coimisiún and the Department, it was indicated that the restricting of advertising of infant formula would be an area of work that would be explored in the future, and while it has not been included in the work programme for 2025, the Department of Health will continue to engage with An Coimisiún on the matter and remains committed to implementing the international code of marketing of breastmilk substitutes.