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The Minister for Health Simon Harris has welcomed the passage of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill.

The Bill, which was initially introduced into the Oireachtas in December 2015, has passed all stages and will now be sent to the President for signature.

This is the first piece of legislation which addresses alcohol as a public health matter.

Minister Harris said:

This legislation has been debated for over 1,000 days. It has been the subject of the most intense lobbying by the alcohol industry.

But today it completes its passage through the Oireachtas and becomes the first time Ireland legislates for alcohol as it affects our health and it is right and proper that we do so.

We know that we have a relationship with alcohol in this country that is not good, damages our health, harms our communities and harms many families.

The measures in this Bill will make a real difference to changing the culture of drinking in Ireland over a period of time.

The Bill provides for:

• minimum unit pricing;
• health labelling of alcohol products; 
• the regulation of certain aspects of the advertising and marketing of alcohol;
• separation and reduced visibility of alcohol products in mixed trading outlets; and
• the regulation of the sale and supply of alcohol in certain circumstances.

Minister Harris concluded:

Ireland has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol that damages health and harms many families. The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill will aim to address that and save thousands of lives.