Marcella Corcoran Kennedy under fire on plans to change the sale, advertisement, and price of alcohol

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, the junior health minister, has come under fire from members of her own party over plans to change the sale, advertisement, and price of alcohol.

Senators and TDs last night hit out at proposals which would require shops to put up barriers to shield alcohol from public view.

A total of 17 TDs and senators stood up at a meeting of the parliamentary party voicing opposition to parts of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015. Ms Corcoran Kennedy will come back next week with a presentation on the matter.

In the Seanad, a number of Fine Gael senators blasted proposals in the bill, claiming it could impact on businesses along the border, would put pressure on small businesses, and could see young people having to show ID before buying clothing bearing alcoholic logos.

Although almost three hours were set aside to debate the bill yesterday, senators did not have a chance to discuss one of its most controversial elements, which requires stores to block off alcohol so it cannot be seen, as discussion on other areas went over time.

Fine Gael senators had claimed the proposals, including curtains/screens or “beer caves” — refrigerated, sectioned-off areas, would put additional financial and staffing pressure on small shops.

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Senator Paudie Coffey demanded a clear definition of what would be required. Ms Corcoran Kennedy said shops would only have to “restrict visibility so that children and young people will not be attracted to alcohol”.

She said businesses would not be asked to construct a wall or separate room to store alcohol but said the matter could be considered at a report stage.

Senators did not have time to discuss the segregation measures yesterday.

There were sharp exchanges when Ms Corcoran Kennedy accused senators of filibustering, but Seanad chief whip Diarmuid Wilson (FF) said members of the upper house should be “respected” and their views heard.

A number of Fine Gael senators said they were concerned about the negative impact minimum unit pricing would have along the border.

Cork senator Tim Lombard said the volatility of sterling, especially in the context of Brexit, could have a major effect on the economy of the border region.

“As much as we can have a minimum price we must also have an opportunity to take it out as well because I cannot forecast what will happen to sterling next month or in the future and I do not think that the minister of state or her officials can either.”

Ms Corcoran Kennedy said: “It will be a matter for the minister to decide when he wants to bring in the measure.”

Later in the debate there was prolonged discussion around proposals to ban alcoholic logos on children’s clothes.

A number of senators pointed out that some under-18s can look much older and questioned whether young adults would have to carry ID in order to simply purchase a Guinness hat.