Plans to ban outright or curb sponsorship of sports and arts events by drinks companies in Ireland have been waived following intensive talks between Government departments, including the Department of An Taoiseach. Worries about a lack of replacement funds to support major sports and cultural activities are said to have influenced the Government.
Spend by drinks companies on sports and arts sponsorships in Ireland is put at about €25 million annually.
Instead, the Government is preparing to present a head of bill before the Dail in the coming days. Health Minister Leo Varadkar (inset) has said the focus will be on introducing legislation aimed at controlling alcohol minimum pricing, adequate labelling on calorie content, structural placement of alcohol products in-store and new advertising regulations.
The minister did not go into any further detail on the proposed new ad curbs.
