The Government has opposed an amendment to the Public Alcohol Bill seeking to stop alcohol advertising to children online.

The amendment was put forward by Sinn Féin's Health Spokesperson in the Dáil, where TDs discussed the Bill which is now at its final stages in the Oireachtas.

Louise O'Reilly suggested prohibiting online advertising of alcohol "unless all reasonable steps are taken" to ensure children cannot view the advertising.

However, Minister for Health Simon Harris said it would be difficult to enforce such a move.

Deputy O'Reilly's amendment was defeated by 56 votes to 25. There were 32 abstentions.

The Public Alcohol Bill, which has been the subject of significant lobbying since it was introduced in the Oireachtas three years ago, seeks to reduce alcohol consumption in Ireland.

Last night, Minister Harris confirmed that labels warning about the risk of cancer on alcohol products will be introduced.

However, the move will have to be agreed by the European Commission, which could take a number of years.

A number of TDs raised concerns around the proposals to include cancer warnings on labels and the effect it might have on small breweries.

Fine Gael TD Peter Fitzpatrick said he supported the overall objectives of the bill, but said the cancer warning on alcohol products could have impact on small producers.

"Imposing the cancer warning on Irish products will harm the reputation of Irish producers," he said.

Fianna Fáil TD Declan Breathnach also expressed concern that the warnings could affect small breweries.

"I would have preferred if the Government had stuck to its original commitment to include a general warning." he said.

However, Ms O'Reilly said the point of the labelling is to make people consider the impact of alcohol.

Fianna Fáil's health spokesman Stephen Donnelly said the warning labels should be in Irish and English, to ensure the legislation would not be subject to court challenge.

Mr Harris also told the house that he was "very sure that there was huge public support" for the legislation.

"Doctors, nurses, frontline staff, people working with those with addiction, the National Youth Council, the National Women's Council, people who represent a broad coalition of stakeholders across civic society," he said.

Independent TD Michael Collins said he was totally opposed to the warnings and called on the minister to close the Dáil bar if he wanted to send a message about the dangers of alcohol.

"If you want to send a message to the people of Ireland close the Dáil the bar... that's sending a serious message. Start leading by example. We shouldn't have a place of drink in our work," Mr Collins said.

The bill is expected to return to the Dáil again next week, despite the expectation that it will go to the Seanad for a final time.