The cabinet has deferred discussion on the Government’s action plan on alcohol until September amid disagreement between Fine Gael and Labour over how strong its measures should be.
The issue was originally pencilled in for discussion at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting but was deferred because of divided views among Ministers. Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore is fully supportive of the views of the Minister of State for Health, Róisín Shortall, on this issue, his spokeswoman said last night. Ms Shortall has pressed for strict measures including curbs on advertising and the introduction of a minimum price for alcohol.
However, several Fine Gael Ministers have argued that the measures were disproportionately strict. The matter will now be discussed by the Cabinet sub-committee on social affairs in September.
When asked if he had been lobbied by the drinks industry on the matter a spokesman for Minister for Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar insisted he had not met anyone from the drinks industry since being appointed to Government
“He would certainly confirm that he has been lobbied by sporting organisations regarding any impact a blanket ban would have on sport.”
Source: Harry McGee, Mary Minihan and Paul Cullen, Irish Times, 18/07/12
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