Retailers flout liquor code
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern is very close to enforcing structural separation of alcohol for all retailers following a breach of the voluntary code of practice
Print6 January 2009
In spite of the concession by the Minister for Justice to allow retailers to regulate themselves in relation to the sale of alcohol, some stores have not been abiding by the industry-devised code of practice, which came into effect on 1 December 2008.
Following recent audits conducted by the appointed watchdog body, the minister has written a strongly worded letter to IBEC retail division Retail Ireland, outlining that it is dissatisfied with the level of compliance with the code on the part of “some elements within the sector” and reiterating that the minister will introduce statutory provisions under the new liquor bill which have up to now been avoided.
“If we don’t get our house in order properly then the minister will do what he said he would,” says CSNA chief executive, Vincent Jennings. One multiple in particular has been found to be in contravention of a number of criteria, in spite of earlier endorsements and assurances given when the code was being devised.
“At the moment it is on a knife edge,” says Jennings, who warns that the minister is very close to enforcing structural separation on the entire grocery sector.
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