We deserve better than delays to landmark health legislation
Last week Simon Harris responded to a question in the Dáil saying that the government needs to 'give consideration to the timeline for the implementation' of health information labelling on alcohol products, due to the 'new trade environment' brought about by American tariffs.
This is the alcohol industry's dream outcome, one that delays, yet again, a key part of the country's Public Health Alcohol Act. First proposed in 2012, introduced to the Oireachtas in 2015, it took three years for the Public Health Alcohol Act to get through the Dáil, despite the powerful alcohol lobby's best efforts to stop it.
It was hailed upon its passage as groundbreaking legislation by Harris himself and strongly supported by the coalition leader Micheál Martin. Since 2018 measures have been slowly, painstakingly, introduced as part of the overall commitment to reduce the harm of alcohol.
The planned introduction of labelling to inform the public of the harms of alcohol is one measure due to be introduced in May 2026. And this is the key measure that the government is now saying that its timing 'merits consideration' under the convenient, but misleading guise, of Donald Trump's tariffs.
One thousand cancers caused by alcohol are diagnosed every year in this country. File photo: Patrick Bolger/Bloomberg
It is misleading because conflating Irish exports with labelling is one of the many tactics used by Ireland's alcohol lobby to do everything they can to stymie, water down and prevent the Public Health Alcohol Act.
American tariffs have nothing to do with labels on alcohol in this country because the labelling only applies to alcohol sold in Ireland. Unfortunately the industry can label any way they like if they are exporting, while some bottles for sale in Ireland are already labelled in preparation for the introduction of this aspect of the legislation, following detailed notification processes to the EU Commission and the World Trade Organisation.
The alcohol industry's classic tactics include never saying 'no', but always pressing and pressuring to delay. With each delay is the possibility that the measure won't actually happen, and the alcohol industry's profits will continue to be protected and to soar.
Big Alcohol
In 2023, the Institute of Alcohol Studies estimated that the revenue of the global alcohol industry was $1.17 trillion. That is higher than the GDP of 179 countries. To put it another way, there are only 16 countries in the world that have a higher GDP than the alcohol industry makes in revenue each year. Their influence on government is extremely powerful.
The economic environment is difficult at the moment, but what the Fine Gael position manages to forget is the reality that alcohol causes health, social and economic harms to us. We have the third highest rate of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in the world. One third of our children live with a parent who regularly drinks heavily or is dependent on alcohol.
One thousand cancers caused by alcohol are diagnosed every year in this country. We know that a reduction in alcohol consumption will directly lead to better health. 1,500 hospital beds are in use today because of alcohol and 30% of emergency department presentations arise from alcohol.
Fighting against these grim statistics was the driving vision of the legislation that every politician in the Dáil supported in 2018, with all but two TDs voting for it.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has legitimately garnered acclaim for his political leadership on public health; he introduced the workplace smoking ban in 2004 despite huge lobbying from Big Tobacco. Then we were world leaders on standing for the public in the face of industry tactics.
'Policy dystopia'
Big Alcohol uses a classic model called 'policy dystopia', basically creating alarming economic stories that spread in newspapers, through constituents in TD's local areas, commissioning research that agrees with its view, and meeting with ministers and policy makers.
The policy dystopia model is designed to scare politicians, to get them to buckle from their original commitments.
Yet Irish governments since the late 1970s have resisted huge pressure from Big Tobacco to stop warnings measures being put on cigarette packets. It was at the height of the financial crisis in 2011 that we put photographic health warnings on tobacco packs. Do we regret doing that?
The alcohol industry also knows that labelling is protective only over a longer time period. Cigarette labelling didn't have an immediate effect. If you were addicted or dependent on tobacco, you put more effort into ignoring the images.
But what happens with labelling is that it subtly but profoundly changes the minds of children. This is not about being pro-wine or anti-wine. It is about creating these subtle shifts in the environment, so that our children grow up seeing alcohol slightly differently to us.
'Hypocrite's trap'
The other thing the alcohol industry knows and uses against us is the 'hypocrite's trap'. If I drink alcohol I really cannot advocate for health labels on it. It makes me a hypocrite. The effect of this is that we self-censor, feeling we don't have the right to say this is wrong.
The alcohol industry's influence on us is extremely disempowering precisely for this reason.
Taoiseach Martin, ministers Harris and Carroll MacNeill and many of their seasoned political colleagues know too well the pressure they come under from big private sector interests. It is the minister for health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill who would sign an order delaying health labelling.
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Simon Harris and many of their seasoned political colleagues know too well the pressure they come under from big private sector interests. File photo: Fergal Phillips
Is the minister really going to allow her own department's policy to be derailed, or is she going to stand up for health given her remarks last week about pressure on Emergency Departments and hospital beds?
Politicians know what is needed to stand for the public good. Surely we deserve better.
Sara Burke is Associate Professor of Health Policy and Management in the School of Medicine
Norah Campbell is Associate Professor in the School of Business in Trinity College Dublin
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Extra.ie
an hour ago
- Extra.ie
SImon Harris to push for national day of solidarity for Gaza
Táiniste Simon Harris has stated he will work to make a national day of protest for Gaza a reality. The claim was made in response to a letter written by a Mr. Michael Cush which was published in Thursdays Irish Times. The letter stated that the Irish government has been strong in its condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza, but that the government and the people of Ireland are growing frustrated as they feel 'helpless' to prevent the ongoing conflict. Táiniste Simon Harris says he will talk to his colleagues about how to make a national day of protest for Gaza a reality. Pic: Olivier Hoslet/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Simon Harris said: 'The people of Ireland stand with the people of Palestine. We stand for human rights, for international law, for a two state solution, for aid to flow, for hostages to be released. We stand for peace. We stand for an end to genocide'. Michael Cush had also said in his open letter to the newspaper that 'If the Government were to call a national day of protest, the turnout would likely be enormous' Today, Simon Harris posted the letter on his social media, alongside a statement endorsing the suggestion made by Michael Cush. The letter stated that the Irish government has been strong in its condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza, but that the government and the people of Ireland are growing frustrated as they feel 'helpless' to prevent the ongoing conflict. Pic: by Moiz Salhi/Anadolu via Getty Images He went on to add: 'The suggestion for a national day or moment of solidarity made by Michael Cush in the letter above is sensible and a good idea. 'It could be powerful if many countries did it together. I will now talk to colleagues on how to make this happen.' The Irish government has been one of the few within Europe that have labelled Israel's actions in Gaza as 'genocide', while internationally the world looks on as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, and the population face the very real threat of starvation as the war continues. The claim was made in response to a letter written by a Mr. Michael Cush which was published in Thursdays Irish Leah Farrell/ Earlier this month, Tánaiste Simon Harris said 'careful consideration' was given to a number of visa applications from a group of Palestinians, adding that the granting of a visa was a 'very important legal document.' The GAA Palestine group were set to arrive in Ireland later in July for a GAA tour. The group of 47 people included 33 children between the ages of nine and 16 years old. Ahead of the visit, The Journal revealed that the visa applications for the group had been refused by the Irish Immigration Service due to 'insufficient documentation.' 152 families in Ireland had signed up to host the group when the were due to arrive on July 18. Tour organisers admitted they were 'devastated' following the ruling, adding that they had included the required information such as detailed itineraries and financial arrangements. In an official statement released on Instagram the following week, GAA Palestine announced that their planned summer trip to Ireland cannot proceed as it is no longer possible to acquire visas and depart on time.
The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
Donald Trump plays golf in Scotland as protesters rally
US PRESIDENT DONALD Trump played golf under tight security on the first full day of a visit to Scotland today, as hundreds of protesters took to the streets in major cities. Trump played at his Turnberry resort with son Eric and US ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens, waving to photographers following his arrival in his mother's birth country yesterday evening. His presence has turned the picturesque and normally quiet area of southwest Scotland into a virtual fortress, with roads closed and police checkpoints in place. Police officers – some on quad bikes and others on foot with sniffer dogs – patrolled the famous course and the sandy beaches and grass dunes that flank it. Secret Service snipers were positioned at vantage points while some other golfers on the course were patted down by security personnel. The 79-year-old Trump touched down yesterday at nearby Prestwick Airport as hundreds of onlookers came out to see Air Force One and catch a glimpse of its famous passenger. The president has professed a love of Scotland, but his controversial politics and business investments in the country have made for an uneasy relationship. Speaking to reporters on the tarmac, Trump immediately waded into the debate surrounding high levels of irregular migration, and lashed out at renewable energy efforts. 'You better get your act together or you're not going to have Europe anymore,' he said, adding that migration was 'killing' the continent. 'Stop the windmills. You're ruining your countries,' he added. Trump's five-day visit, which is set to mix leisure with business and diplomacy, has divided the local community. Advertisement Several hundred protesters demonstrated outside the US consulate in the capital Edinburgh and in the city of Aberdeen, near where Trump owns another golf resort. People take part in a Stop Trump Scotland protest outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The protests were organised by the Stop Trump Coalition. Participants held placards with slogans like 'Scotland hates Trump' and waved Palestinian flags. 'I am here because of fascism in America under Trump's rule. I am here because of genocide in Gaza that is being funded and enabled by British and American governments,' said 44-year-old Amy Hanlon in Aberdeen. No demonstrations could be seen near Turnberry. Trade talks Not everyone was against his visit. At Prestwick Airport yesterday evening a boy held a sign that read 'Welcome Trump' while a man waved a flag emblazoned with Trump's most famous slogan – 'Make America Great Again'. 'I think the best thing about Trump is he's not actually a politician yet he's the most powerful man in the world and I think he's looking at the best interests of his own country,' said 46-year-old Lee McLean, who had travelled from nearby Kilmarnock. 'Most politicians should really be looking at the best interests of their own country first before looking overseas,' he told news agency AFP. Trump had no public events scheduled for today, but he posted on his Truth Social network to say he was talking with the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand in a bid to end their border conflict that has left at least 33 people dead. Trump is due to discuss trade with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen in Turnberry tomorrow. He is also due to meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, before heading to Balmedie in Aberdeenshire where he is expected to formally open a new golf course at his resort there. Trump is scheduled to return to the US on Tuesday but will be back in the UK for a state visit between 17-19 September, when he will be hosted by King Charles III.
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Social Democrats criticised for 'quietly' readmitting suspended TD Eoin Hayes
People Before Profit has criticised the Social Democrats for 'quietly' readmitting suspended TD Eoin Hayes, reiterating calls for the politician to resign his seat in the Dáil. Mr Hayes was allowed to rejoin the Social Democrats parliamentary party yesterday after nearly eight months sitting as an independent TD. He had been suspended weeks after his election last November, when it emerged that he had provided incorrect information to the media about the sale of shares in his former employer, Palantir Technologies. The company has a number of IT contracts with Israel and the US military. Today, People Before Profit accused the Social Democrats of 'cynically' announcing his readmission late on a Friday evening during the Dáil recess in order to minimise scrutiny. 'Eoin Hayes was rightly suspended in December after it was revealed he had profited to the tune of nearly €200,000 from shares in Palantir, a company deeply embedded in the Israeli war machine for close to its entire existence as a company,' it said in a statement. The party claimed that the Social Democrats had offered 'no transparency' on the matter since the suspension of Mr Hayes, accusing it of prioritising Dáil seats and opinion polls above ethical standards and public trust. 'This is not just a political scandal, it is a direct contradiction of the values the Social Democrats claim to stand for,' the People Before Profit statement read. 'Since their foundation 10 years ago, they have positioned themselves as the party of integrity and higher standards in public life, claiming to be an alternative to the corruption and cynicism of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. 'For many voters and members, that commitment to honesty and transparency has been central to their appeal. The handling of the Hayes affair will come as a real disappointment to many of those supporters, and rightly so.' People Before Profit welcomed the announcement that Mr Hayes would donate a sum of money to Palestinian charities, but added that there were still questions to answer about his actions. 'This whole situation raises serious questions, not just about Eoin Hayes' judgment, but about the standards the Social Democrats are willing to accept,' said Cllr Conor Reddy of People Before Profit. The statement noted that the party had called on Mr Hayes to resign last December, and reiterated that call following his readmission to the Social Democrats. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
