Junior health minister to discuss drink sale plan

The Fine Gael minister planning to segregate the sale of alcohol in stores says she is open to discussing “any evidence” that the measure would cause shops financial hardship.

Department of Health junior minister Marcella Corcoran Kennedy said she is willing to hold further talks with her party’s coalition partner, the Independent Alliance, after it warned that the legislation could damage small firms.

Under a new alcohol bill currently before the Seanad and at amendment stage, the Government plans to introduce new rules in the coming months to force stores to separate alcohol from other products, by means of a physical barrier.

The segregation would ensure that while alcohol can still be bought by shoppers, the drinks and their advertising will not be visible to customers, and especially not to children and teens.

Alcohol will only be available for sale in a part of the store, which shoppers do not have to pass through to enter or leave, nor to access the cashier desk.

While a form of the legislation was enacted in 2008, it allowed shops to comply with it on a voluntary basis, but a number of companies and retail associations have raised concerns over the impact the compulsory measure may have on businesses.

The Independent Alliance has also highlighted potential issues, saying that while segregating alcohol has health benefits, it also risks causing serious financial hardship to small stores and corner shops.

Yesterday, a spokesperson for the Independent Alliance said the group “has called on Marcella Corcoran Kennedy to address their concerns” and is seeking answers on the issue.

And, while stressing she remains in favour of the policy change, the junior health minister last night said she was open to meeting with her coalition colleagues to discuss the matter, in the coming days. “First of all, I should say I already held a briefing with all members of the Oireachtas, last Tuesday, during which TDs and senators attended or sent their parliamentary assistants. I have spoken informally with the Independent Alliance members, but I would be very happy to speak informally again, or to speak formally with them.

“This bill is at the amendment stage in the Seanad and still has to go back to the Dáil, but I would like to discuss, and examine, the suggestions they have put forward, and the evidence they have for it,” she said.

Ms Corcoran Kennedy said she is aware of concerns that smaller stores and corner shops could be at risk of losing money.

However, she said that the policy change is about public health and instigating “behavioural change” in society, adding that while products will still be available, “this is about making sure alcohol sales won’t be pushed in people’s faces”.