TDs and Senators back RGDATA on scrapping ‘structural separation’
Numerous Senators have taken a position supporting RGDATA's efforts to remove the new stuctural separation regulation from the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill.
Print3 November 2016
Numerous Senators have taken a position supporting RGDATA in the ongoing debate over structural separation, a regulation which the independent retailers’ organisation calls “onerous”.
As Committee Stage of the Public Health Bill was scheduled for the Seanad, RGDATA and its director general Tara Buckley made a presentation to TDs and Senators highlighting the concerns of local shopkeepers about the Structural Separation proposal in the Bill.
RGDATA and individual shop owners urged Senators to scrap Section 20 of the Bill, which proposes measures to make alcohol products “not readily visible” in mixed trading retail outlets.
“RGDATA is supportive of 99% of this Bill,” said Buckley. “However, we believe the proposed measure regarding walls and doors in local shops will harm smaller community based shops and will not deliver on the Bill’s objectives.
“Enda Kenny has indicated that the Bill will be amended to address the concerns of local shops. RGDATA is currently working on securing an amendment that addresses the concerns of local community retailers,” she also said.
RGDATA has stated that it plans to continue this campaign until the proposal is amended at Report Stage. The Bill will go before the Dáil once it has passed through the Seanad.
“RGDATA is seeking simple amendments that will address the concerns of local shopkeepers,” Buckley added.
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