Simon Harris confirms delay to yet another Government plan
The Government announced yet another delay to plans as Tánaiste Simon Harris confirmed that health warning labels being put on alcohol bottles will be delayed.
Housing Minister James Browne, meanwhile, insisted that the decision to delay the new housing plan was "common sense".
In May 2023, then-health minister Stephen Donnelly signed the Public Health (Alcohol) (Labelling) Regulations 2023.
It was envisaged that the law would ensure that the labels of alcohol products would state the calorie content and grams of alcohol in the product.
They would warn about the risk of consuming alcohol when pregnant and about the risk of liver disease and fatal cancers from alcohol consumption.
A three-year lead-in time was built into the legislation to allow businesses to prepare and it was expected to come into force from May 2026.
However, the Tánaiste has now confirmed that it will be delayed as he expressed concerns about making the changes at a time of uncertainty due to impending US tariffs.
Mr Harris said: "I'm extremely proud that we brought in legislation that has helped, I think, create a healthier relationship with alcohol in Ireland and help protect children and young people in relation to alcohol.
"Of course, so many parts of that legislation have already been commenced and enacted. Indeed, if you walk into any local supermarket, any local convenience store, you'll see the structural separation, the restrictions in terms of where advertising can be in terms of proximity to schools, to playgrounds, on public transport.
"A lot of good changes have been made. Of course, minimum unit pricing, which wasn't easy, came in as well.
"It is true that there's a decision to be made now in terms of when to proceed with the issue of labelling.
"It is my view that we will need to delay that. I think we need to do that for a variety of reasons, most particularly the situation in relation to trade and tariffs.
"We have to protect jobs, we have to protect investment and we have to support Irish businesses and Irish industry at a really key moment of economic turbulence.
"The government as a whole will make a decision on this in the coming weeks, but this is about providing a breather or a delay, as opposed to changing the legislation, which is clear in relation to labelling."
When asked if it would be brought in in the next five years, Mr Harris said the delay will not be that long.
The Tánaiste, who is also the Trade Minister, said that Wednesday marked 13 days until the end of US President Donald Trump's 90-day pause.
This, he said, meant there was very little time for the EU to negotiate a deal with the US.
He added: "We need to find a deal that works.
"I think there's an air of pragmatism beginning to come back into the discussion and I now intend to convene the Government's trade forum early next week to tease through issues with key stakeholders and key Government departments."
Meanwhile, Housing Minister James Browne confirmed that the housing plan will be delayed.
He said: "It's just common sense in terms of we won't be able to finalise and publish the housing plan until the National Development Plan is completed."
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