Irish liquor bill proposes segregated stores

Home

Gavin Lipsith

15-May-2008

Print Article

E-Mail Article

E-Mail Author

A draft bill on liquor published on May 14 threatens severe restrictions on liquor sales and display, with no mention of exemption for the country’s duty-free stores

The Irish government has proposed that liquor should be segregated from all other product categories in a walled-off department wherever it is sold, with no exemption mentioned for airport retail outlets. Liquor suppliers and Irish airport retailer Aer Rianta are aware of the proposals – included in the draft of the Intoxicating Liquor/Public Order Act 2008 – and are in the process of ascertaining what action can be taken and what the implications are for airport retailers.

If passed as they stand, the restrictions would force a dramatic rethink in the layout of domestic supermarkets and off-licence liquor stores, as well as travel-retail outlets including those at Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports. DFNI understands that the Irish government hopes to push the bill through parliament in eight weeks, leaving little time for consultation.

According to the draft, liquor must be “confined to one specified area…separated from the rest of the premises by a solid wall or other similar barrier”, accessible by a door or turnstile. Liquor may only be sold at a point of sale within the specified area, and access to the rest of the store must be possible without passing through the liquor area.

If a separate liquor section is physically impossible, all liquor must be held in a secure area of the shop with no public access, and will only be available over the counter, with no self service.

DFNI has contacted suppliers, associations and retailers about the proposals and will provide updates on their comment and reaction as they are received.

Click here to read the draft bill (with the display section starting on page 7).

Bookmark This Article

• • • •

Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Facebook