Alcohol Products Bill
Mr. Gormley: Yesterday during questions to the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children it emerged that the Government had hired consultants, Target Health—–
An Ceann Comhairle: Is the Deputy’s question appropriate to the Order of Business?
Mr. Gormley: Yes, it certainly is.
An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy should get straight to the question as we are moving on.
Mr. Gormley: It is on promised legislation. Target Health advised the Government to continue—–
An Ceann Comhairle: To what legislation does this relate?
Mr. Gormley: Please, a Cheann Comhairle—–
An Ceann Comhairle: I am sorry. The Deputy must obey the Standing Orders like everybody else.
Mr. Gormley: I am obeying the Standing Orders.
An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy is not.
Mr. Gormley: I am.
An Ceann Comhairle: I am asking what legislation he is raising on the Order of Business.
Mr. Gormley: If the Ceann Comhairle will let me speak he will find out.
An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy cannot make a statement—–
Mr. Gormley: This is not a statement.
An Ceann Comhairle: —–or give a preamble or a Second Stage speech.
Mr. Gormley: The Ceann Comhairle has given many people latitude and I am trying to get to the point and I ask him to let me get to the point. The Government hired consultants who recommended proceeding with the alcohol products Bill and yet it was abandoned.
An Ceann Comhairle: I ask the Taoiseach to advise the status of the alcohol products Bill.
Mr. Gormley: Taxpayers money was given to these consultants and the Government ignored their advice. Why did the Government ignore that advice?
An Ceann Comhairle: I call the Taoiseach on the alcohol products Bill.
Mr. Gormley: Will the Government reinstate the alcohol products Bill now?
The Taoiseach: As voluntary agreements have been reached between the alcohol and the advertisement industries, the Department of Health and Children wishes to hold the introduction of legislation pending the outcome of the voluntary agreements. As I have said previously if voluntary agreements work with the co-operation of the industry, that is fine. If it does not then the legislation will be ready.
Mr. Gormley: How long will the voluntary agreements be allowed to run?
The Taoiseach: That would be a matter for the Minister.