Calorie labelling and domestic violence Bills
Jonathan O’Brien asks when legislation requiring calorie information on menus and reforming domestic violence law will be published; the Taoiseach expects the domestic violence Bill early in 2016 and says the calorie measure remains under development.
Can I ask the Taoiseach about two Bills that are proposed? I am aware that the heads of a Bill that would require the publication on menus of details of calories were agreed last February. Obviously, this legislation will have profound effects on health and on obesity. When will it be published? We have consistently raised the second Bill, which will reform and consolidate our domestic violence legislation. As the Taoiseach is aware, some 39 states have signed up to the Istanbul Convention to date. We have to pass legislation so that Ireland can sign up to it. There has been an ongoing delay in bringing that Bill before the House. Can the Taoiseach give us a timeframe for when we might get it?
Comment on this
The heads of the domestic violence Bill were cleared in July. It is scheduled for publication in early 2016. Work is ongoing on the Bill in respect of calorie quantities on menus. I will advise Deputy O'Brien of the progress that is being made in that regard. It is not due for publication in this session.