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Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Alcohol labelling and dementia services

Summary

Deputy Rice challenged the Government’s stance on alcohol health labelling, while Deputy Hayes raised uncertainty over respite beds and dementia services at the Royal Hospital Donnybrook. The Taoiseach defended alcohol reduction measures, said regulations had been signed, and promised to raise the dementia issue with the HSE and Minister.

Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

There are two further Deputies but we are out of time. There is a lack of co-operation from Deputies and that is why we are out of time. We should be able to fit everybody in. The more I have to ask for co-operation, the more time we waste. Strictly speaking, I should not allow the other two Deputies in but I will allow them 30 seconds each, after which the Taoiseach can respond.

Comment on this

Today, the HSE made an unequivocal statement that alcohol consumption causes cancer. That is why it is ramping up efforts to inform people of the link between alcohol and cancer. However, at the same time, this Government is rowing back on its commitment to alcohol health labelling, or at least Fine Gael is. I will read a quote to the Taoiseach: "Alcohol causes cancer, and we would be negligent not to tell people that." Who said that? It was deputy leader of the Taoiseach's party, Deputy Jack Chambers, during a debate on the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill in 2018. Is this still Fianna Fáil's position or is the Taoiseach's party, like Fine Gael, now on the side of the alcohol industry without regard to the fact that alcohol labelling has nothing to do with tariffs? The regulations only apply to what is imported for sale in Ireland and home-produced products. The onus is on retailers to label the products. They can simply add a sticker to the product. Will the Taoiseach be led by the facts and ensure that the Government introduces alcohol labelling next May?

Comment on this

I will raise dementia services in my constituency. Last week, I received a report that respite beds for those with Parkinson's disease and dementia in the Royal Hospital Donnybrook would be unavailable from August as funding was withdrawn by the HSE without warning in January. This has created significant distress for the families who rely on this service. The uncertainty regarding HSE funding seems completely at odds with Government policy. I have engaged with both the hospital and the HSE but I want a commitment from the Government that the service at the Royal Hospital Donnybrook will continue to be fully funded. I would also like to hear about the Government's expected progress in this budget as regards "doubling funding for dementia day care at home" and the dementia day care centres promised in the programme for Government.

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Alcohol is a contributory factor to cancer. The more fundamental issue is to reduce the levels of consumption of alcohol in the country. The significant story is that, from 2000 to now, there has been a very substantial and significant reduction in the consumption of alcohol-----

Comment on this

Will the Government introduce labelling?

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-----which is a very positive development that the Deputy should acknowledge. The previous Government also introduced minimum pricing for alcohol to target young people in particular in endeavouring to reduce the consumption of alcohol. We have some of the highest prices for alcohol in Europe, which has impacted-----

Comment on this

Will the Taoiseach answer the question? Will the Government introduce labelling?

Comment on this

The regulations have been signed. The Government considers all of these matters. An issue has been raised in the context of the trade and tariffs issue.

Comment on this
Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

Time is up on that particular question.

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There is no answer.

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I just gave an answer. The Deputy does not like it.

On dementia services, I will talk to the HSE and the Minister in respect of what is happening at the Royal Hospital Donnybrook. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, did exceptional work on dementia during the term of the previous Government and improved resources significantly. More generally, we will focus on dementia provision in the budget. I do not have the details here today but it is something we have consistently improved upon in the past number of years and, notwithstanding a more challenging scenario, we are anxious to do what we can for dementia.

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