Health Minister Leo Varadkar has said a drink awareness campaign backed by alcohol giant Diageo is not his problem, saying it doesn't need his permission.
Mr Varadkar, speaking from Mexico last night, strongly rejected calls from an Independent Senator Jillian van Turnhout to clarify his position on the controversial campaign.
Speaking to the Irish Independent Mr Varadkar said: "This is a free country and nobody needs permission from government to campaign on any issue.
"I have had no contact with the Stop Out of Control Drinking campaign. This is actually the first time anyone has asked my opinion on it."
He added: "The campaign is not backed by me or the Government. It has not sought backing or official endorsement."
Mr Varadkar said his focus is on getting the Public Health Alcohol Bill through the Oireachtas before the end of the year.
"It is the first public health legislation on alcohol ever and the most far-reaching. It will be a key step forward in bringing alcohol consumption in Ireland down to the average level for the Western world," he added.
Ms van Turnhout, a former Children's Right Alliance CEO, had called on Mr Varadkar to state whether he supported the campaign, which is backed by Diageo
Source: Daniel McConnell, Irish Independent, 19/03/15
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