Taoiseach Micheál Martin reportedly attempted to block plans to defer alcohol health labelling until 2029 on public health grounds.
The measure, part of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, was originally due to come into effect in May 2026. It would require alcohol products to carry warnings about cancer, liver disease, pregnancy risks, and include calorie and alcohol content.
The deferral was reported by RTÉ on Monday night, with the broadcaster stating that Government members of its drinks industry trade forum had been informed by email that a final decision would be made next week.
It is understood by Gript that according to Government sources this decision will be made despite resistance from Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who objects on public health grounds.
Speaking to Gript ahead of Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, Martin said alcohol “does cause cancer” and noted that the broader legislation had already been mostly enacted.
“Anything we do, we do in consult with the European Union,” he said.
“We’ll see what plans are there in respect of the European Union. Alcohol does cause cancer. That’s important, I think, to acknowledge. In terms of that legislation, I think about 28 of the 30 measures have now been implemented.”
Enterprise Minister Peter Burke also spoke to Gript about the proposal before news of the deferral broke.
Burke said he was waiting for a cabinet decision, and criticised the volume of regulation on Irish businesses.
“We have an enormous amount of regulation,” he said.
“One thing which I was shocked was when we came forward by our costs of doing business advisory forum, we hadn’t enough seats almost for all the regulators we have in this country.”
He argued that Ireland should avoid acting alone in imposing further labelling requirements, especially during a period of trade uncertainty.
“We have to ensure that regulation is proportionate,” he said.
“If you look at the drinks sector and look at the trajectory where we’ve gone from leaders in all international metrics through the EU and the OECD to now mid-table, alcohol consumption has reduced by over four and a half percent last year. It’s on a downward trajectory. And we have to protect our indigenous sector.”
He continued by saying some distillers had already reduced or ceased production.
“The pressure in terms of labelling adds an additional cost on the business,” he said.
“I think we should move with Europe, do it together if a point in time in the future comes. But acting unilaterally on a sector that is vulnerable through tariffs is not a good idea. I look at the prism of protecting jobs. That’s where I come from as Enterprise Minister.”
He added that simplifying the regulatory environment should be a national priority.
“I think as a country, we have to really get a handle on reducing red tape, ensuring we’re doing things quicker and acting quicker as a country as well.”
According to an Irish Times article published in May, Tánaiste Simon Harris had previously indicated that the 2026 timeline might need to be reconsidered, given the threat of US tariffs on EU alcohol exports.
“It’s certainly something that merits at least considering,” Harris said in the Dáil at the time.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe also said the plan would need to be “carefully examined again.”
The proposed health labelling has been long opposed by industry groups warning of possible trade implications.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has also been resistant to the measure, given that one of his most celebrated career achievements has been when he implemented the indoor smoking ban in 2004 as Health Minister.