Govt to restrict the sale of alcohol

The Government appears to be preparing to restrict the availability of alcohol.

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said that below cost selling, supermarket special offers, and cheap drink promotions will all be reined in.

The Government's Alcohol Advisory Group is expected to recommend a series of measures to scale back the liberal laws on alcohol at the moment.

The current availability is being blamed for an increase in street violence.

Richard Barry from the National Off-Licence Association says the Government is likely to move quickly once the group reports.