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TÁNAISTE SIMON HARRIS has signalled a delay to the rollout of health warnings on alcohol bottles over concerns about the global trade environment.
Responding to a question in the Dáil today on the matter, Harris said the timeline around implementation of the labels is “under consideration”.
The labels are due to come into force from 22 May 2026 following the introduction of a law in 2023 by then Health Minister Stephen Donnelly.
The law means that the labels of alcohol products will state the calorie content and grams of alcohol in the product.
They will also warn about the risk of consuming alcohol when pregnant and of the risk of liver disease and fatal cancers from alcohol consumption.
Ireland is the first country in the world to introduce such regulations.
A three-year lead-in time was built into the law in order to give businesses time to prepare for the change.
However, in recent weeks there have been suggestions that the law would be delayed in response to concerns arising from US tariffs.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe told RTÉ Radio 1 at the beginning of this month that the introduction of the labels would be looked at following Trump’s tariff announcements.
However, the Irish Independent reported on 22 April that the Department of Health said there was no review in place in relation to the timeline.
Speaking in the Dáil today, the Tánaiste said: “I think this is something that we do need to give consideration to in terms of the timeline for implementation. We find ourselves in a very new trade environment and we always say we have to control what we can control.
“This is certainly something that merits at least considering in that space when we hear the concerns being addressed. I do think this falls into that category.
“I’m not in a position to say today what exact decision government will make, but I can say the timeline around implementation is certainly under consideration.”
A recent report by the Office of the United States Trade Representative cited alcohol labelling as a significant barrier to American exports.
The report noted concerns of US industry that the labelling requirements for the Irish market would be costly and disrupt exports within the EU single market.
Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI) has said it is “shocked” by Harris’s comments, saying in a statement that they “raise questions regarding the real motives behind the move”.
AAI CEO Dr Sheila Gilheany said: “Labelling of alcohol products is a health issue and has nothing to do with Ireland’s exports as the regulations only apply to products sold in Ireland.
“During the many years of discussion on the legislation, Simon Harris saw at first hand the ferocious lobbying by the alcohol industry against any measure which seeks to improve public health,” she said, adding that claims about trading environments “should be taken with a large pinch of salt”.
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Anyone notice that the Apple money just evaporated along with the bumper tax takes we had? Almost like FFG just wanted to get elected and it’s back to cuts and taxes, cuts and taxes.
@Keyser Söze: IPAS
@Be Lucky: pisssing away money on that. Billions
@Keyser Söze: yep, there are no elections planned after the budget, so cuts, taxes, hairshirts…
Possible they’ll let the Áras go to Connolly (then she’s out of the Dáil) and will only have a “cost of living” budget when Local and GEs are on the horizon. As in the 2024 and (mostly) 2025 budgets.
@Keyser Söze: Cuts…if only. Which Irish Government ever cut back any Departmental budget? It’s a bottomless money pit.
When the time comes make sure you and government pals put the Irish 1st…just this once!
@Quinnladden1: when have the Irish not been put first? In what way?
@Paul Fahey: The most obvious one is bad management of the economy leading to the emigration of up to 10M people.
@Pat Barry: 10 m people since when? I have issue with the economy as noted below, but we are currently in full employment.
@Pat Barry: 10m people,you must going back as far as the famine.
@Pat Barry: Just pulling figures outta the blue AGAIN to feed your right wing rhetoric!!!
@Paul Fahey: no homes for Irish,guaranteed housing for immigrants.
@r k: Nonsense. How can you actually believe this tripe?
@Pat Barry: You’re right, Dude. 10 million emigrating from a country with a population of 5 million is definitely bad management.
@r k: More lies,why spread lies that can easily be fact checked
@Paul Fahey: full employment in an economy where those on low wages haven’t enough to meet rising costs. Many working poor in Ireland. Claiming full employment proves everything is fine is like saying a house is solid because it has a roof — while ignoring the cracks in the foundation. If people are working but still can’t afford food, rent, or heating, the system isn’t sound. I notice that our leaders never have to worry about such things. Their stay in office is too long by far. A midterm election to keep them on their toes would be better IMO
@Daniel Roche: go on…
@Trevor Donoghue: That’s 10 million people since 1800, including the famine years. How is this figure anyway representative of poor “management of the economy” as per the OPs original comment.. We were under occupation for half that time. I’m as critical of FFG as anyone.. but pulling BS like this out is pure loony tunes stuff for the tricolur waving brigade.. bringing shame on our flag.
@Jason Memail: what part is wrong so? I suspect you are another “born into” a party and will tow the party line regardless. Open your eyes to what is happening ffs.
Prove my previous statement wrong,if you can…
When it comes to tariffs, the government’s attitude to the irish is ” let them eat cake “
@Alexa Reborn: that phat headed phuck and his cronies won’t be affected anyway, it’ll be the ordinary workers, we will be crucified!!!
@Denis Mc: seriously, is there anybody out there who believes a word from this skidmark,as housing minister he did f–k all but lie and bluff and repeatedly told us he was on target to build homes for all.(We know how that worked out).pity his father didn’t pull out and save the people of Ireland from having to look any listen to that walking phlegm.
Will they be mindful enough to stop deducting USC payments from tax payers? This was to be a “temporary tax” to bail out the banks and bond holders.
They have now removed pay caps on Bank Execs (allowing annual wages of over €500k), sold Government owned shares and allegedly made money (which is totally false but that’s another thorn).
So why are tax payers including pensioners still being paying USC?
Mícheal Martin, Pascal Donogue and Simon Harris need to stop taking this unfair tax
@Peeta Griffin: Agree 100 per cent. Also, the cost of living added 3,000 to an average bill since this government formation two elections ago. Also , homeless record numbers, infrastructure falling apart, etc. Yet MM and SH think they have done a great job.
@Peeta Griffin: people voted for those responsible for the crash, the USC etc.
only ourselves to blame at this stage we deserve it.
@did you every wonder: never mind what slimey Simon and his invisible handbag think, or mehole that money was only resting in my wife’s bank account, there was no bank bailout Martin think, these reprabates are only out for one thing. Do you know what is yet?,go on ,have a stab in the dark!
But they have no problem finding 5 €billion for the “refugees”.
@edward smith: ipas centers nodular home’s @ 439000 a shot and date center’s are priority now , housing for locals is not happening health care for kids is a disaster locals have to rise funds for extra teachers in local schools big teens can’t afford to go to third level now ,fffg Lowry gang only want imported labour it’s feck the locals now Australia that way
Sounds like excuses being made already for The Govts failings. Taco Trump talks about Tariffs yet again and Govt straight with “Oh have to tighten our belt” talk and we know Trump will flip flop on this again
Poor Darragh has failed at everything he put his hand to so far. Best thing for him to do is say and do nothing.
@Mr “JonnieBoy” Johnson: That’s exactly what he does…..Nothing.
@Mr “JonnieBoy” Johnson: he’s a complete waster
Basically, the government is starting to psychologically prepare us for getting hammered in the budget! In classic fashion, though, there may be some goodies doled out to various sectors here and there so they can claim things could’ve been far worse except for their prudent fiscal management. I imagine Budget 2026 should be a shocker altogether reminiscent of the 70s! Hair shirts at the ready…
@William Tallon: That is boom to bust and people vote for it, no sympathy.
in a nutshell from fffh Lowry gang look after buddies cronies and magners types feck the locals poor and homeless
@jn: fffg traitors
We believe ye.
And today on things that definitely won’t happen
Fatuous comment from O’Brien. The junta know they are going to engage in a tax grab and wreak hardship on the masses! Multinationals and immigrants will be the only winners in this budget.
He a muppet
So from the man who wouldn’t know what a house looked like if it fell on him. I feel so much better
Easy money gone (but they have been talking about this for last 10 years!!!)
FFG are all C U next Tuesdays.
If only there had been surplus income they could have invested for such an outcome. Whatever way we look at this, it has been accepted for sometime that our economic model is not sustainable, but what have our political class done to prepare for this?
@Paul Fahey: political class? On here all I hear at each budget is what did I get from the budget etc. Ppl don’t care about long term it’s all me me me and this reflected in politics.
@John Purcell: people can and do benefit whilst considering the long term too, they are not contrary to each other.
@Paul Fahey: people do not care one bit about any sort of investment. They all want tax cuts and better service.
All u have to do is find the budget article on here and it’s all ppl moaning they don’t get enough.
@John Purcell: We have been told that an economy based on multinationals is dangerous, why so many are fearing for their jobs. This is an economic policy from the 1950s and why it was brought was to help grow indigenous companies who will have a loyalty to Ireland. Multinationals by and large have a loyalty to the USA and are only here for the abysmally low corporation tax that they pay whike everyone plays their taxes or are brought infront of Revenue. I’m no economist and can see the absurdity of this.
@Paul Fahey: there is a surplus. Higher tax returns that estimated every year for around 7 years now and the windfall payment from Apple of around €13BILLION
They say there setting it aside for a “rainy day” fund.
Well considering the state of our health service, under resourced Emergency Services and homeless figures at a record level. @MichealMartin @SimonHarris @PascalDonohue – NEWSFLASH its raining!
@Peeta Griffin: You highlight that €13BILLION like it’s some massive amount that could cure all our woes. It wouldn’t even cover 6 months of pension payments !!
Complete plank trust a wet fart in white trousers before that lot
What the f### does that muppet know about anything?.An abject failure. Look at his previous portfolio performance! But he got thousands of 1st preference votes in the last election. The mind simply boggles.
Mass unvetted migration and mass unemployment here we come. What can possibly go wrong
If and it’s a big beautiful ,If, Mr Trump does enact the 30% import tariff on the 1st.August, the outcome of this tariff will not be known for months. Our budget day is in October, so are/will our Big Beautiful Givernment try and use this promised tariff to withhold any reliefs to hard pressed workers and families
The next Budget, like every budget in the last 2 decades will prioritise the 2 most important groups in our society.
The civil service and the long-term unemployed.
@Gerry Kelly: 200%
A proven liar
Great rid of all the refugees and Ukrainians absolutely billions saved with the swipe of a pen problem solved.
@Rian O’Callaghan: not to happen paddies shipped off to Australia first , ipas centers are new fffg fast profit people farming , it’s like legalized slave trade that english were at back in the day when hundreds of thousands of paddies got shipped off to Carribbean and USA as slaves Google it
@jn: and never a Day of Commemoration for this only with fffg it’s back and tans dag and stuff to do the English , fffg is erasing our heritage and culture
Money sticks with money, old or new, always has and always will. A terrible beauty and all that.
He’s hopeless
You can be sure he’ll get a pay increase
luckily we have endless job/retraining/upskilling opportunituies one can avail of to earn extra income.
no better country.
@Paul Kavanagh: most of these courses training are in Dublin and cork with no availability of or affordable accommodation for people from small towns or country side , public transport is a disaster in Ireland for connections and costly
@jn: 1000s of courses available online.
Wonder will he put the tarmac up aswell?
Who ate all the pies
So in other words, more pay rises for themselves while everybody else has to take the hit
How is this twit still a minister? Talk about scraping the bottom of the trash can.
Structural Change…. what does this mean Simon???
We are the second most expensive country in Europe!!
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