Alcohol labelling timeline
Deputy Ó Muirí asked whether the rollout of standardised alcohol labels would proceed on schedule in May 2026. The Tánaiste said implementation timing was under consideration in light of the current trade environment.
I ask for an update on the national roll-out of standardised labelling of alcohol products. I understand that in 2023 the then Minister for Health signed the regulations into law and that the labelling is due to come into effect a year from now, in May 2026. Could the Tánaiste confirm that we are on target for the labels to be on all drinks one year from now and whether there are any implementation issues remaining to be resolved?
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Ó Muirí for raising this issue. We do need to consider the timeline for implementation. We find ourselves in a very new trade environment and we always say we have to try to control what we can control. This is certainly something that at least merits consideration when we hear the concerns expressed. I believe this falls into that category. I am not in a position to say today what exact decision the Government will make but I can say that the timeline around implementation is certainly under consideration.