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Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Advertising and climate action

Summary

Deputy Leddin suggested the review of public service broadcasting should consider the climate impact of advertising, including ads for holidays and foods. The Taoiseach called it an interesting idea and said it was worthy of debate, while joking interjections followed.

First, I support Deputy O'Dea's call for the decision to be made on St. John's. As regards my own question, the Taoiseach might consider discussing with the Minister, Deputy Martin, and other colleagues, with respect to the review of public service broadcasting and the terms of reference, that the impact of advertising on climate action be looked at because it seems to me that advertising works. That is why these large companies spend so much money on it, and it does influence people's decisions. Often it influences them to make our lives harder as legislators because they might make decisions that are not good for the climate, even though they might wish to do so. I ask for the Taoiseach's support that, in the context of the review of funding for public service broadcasting, that be looked at.

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Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

That is an interesting idea. Advertising does work. Otherwise, companies would not spend so much money on advertising, nor would we as politicians. However, I am not sure how I would feel about restricting advertising of holidays abroad, certain foods and so on. I am not sure we would want to get into that space-----

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The Taoiseach should watch "Mad Men".

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Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

-----but it is certainly something worthy of debate.

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