Alcohol bill may include exemption for small shops

Small shops may be given an exemption from a bill seeking to limit the way in which alcohol is sold in Ireland amid concerns the law could cause hundreds of family stores to close.

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, the junior health minister, said she will consider possible solutions after meeting backbench TDs last night.

Under Government plans, shops are set to be told they cannot sell alcohol alongside other products and must limit the sales and promotion to areas separate to where other products are sold. The move is part of wider attempts to reduce the negative impact of alcohol.