The National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) has called on the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality for tighter control on the sale of alcohol today.
NOffLA, which represents almost 6,000 workers across the alcohol industry in Ireland, outlined a number of measures which it believes would significantly contribute to the reduction of public order offences across the country.
The measures include the introduction of the Public Health Alcohol bill as a matter of urgency and the imposition of fines for public drunkenness and underage purchasing and consumption.
Evelyn Jones, Chairperson of NOffLA commented; “The alcohol sector has an important part to play in working with the Government to address public order and anti-social behaviour in communities all across Ireland. There are broader considerations such as public health, welfare and the economic cost, and as retailers and citizens we support the work of the Justice & Equality Committee. “
NOffLA are also asking for the enactment of Section 16 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008, which bans the discounted promotion of alcohol or failing that the introduction of a statutory Code of Practice binding all alcohol retailers to rigid guidelines concerning the advertising, placement and sale of alcohol with an adequate sanction. The current code is voluntary.
Additionally, the association has requested for the enactment of Section 9 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008, which provides for the separation of alcohol products from all other grocery products in mixed trading premises.
Finally, in its submission, NOffLA requested for mandatory training of all Alcohol retailers and mandatory identification when buying alcohol.
© 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Genna Patterson
