Simon Harris plans to press ahead with changes to alcohol sales

The Government will reintroduce controversial plans to reduce alcohol advertisements and ban low-cost drink sales, with fresh concessions for small retailers around the storage of alcohol in shops.

Health Minister Simon Harris still faces opposition from his own Fine Gael TDs and senators, who claim the moves to reduce alcohol consumption will hurt small retailers and rural shops.

It has also emerged that alcohol producers and businesses in the minister’s own constituency of Wicklow are warning of local job losses.