At a recent meeting of the Irish Bishops' Drugs Initiative committee, we felt it important to forward to your group 
some points in relation to some of our concerns on the initial three issues raised.

Issue 1 The increase in the number of supermarkets, convenience stores, petrol stations with off licences and 
the manner and conditions of sale of alcohol products in such outlets, including below unit-cost selling and 
promotions:

We have concerns in relation to the ever increasing amount of outlets selling alcohol  and the increased shop 
floor space that alcohol products are given, i.e. petrol stations, local shops etc.

* It is a worrying indication that alcohol sales in these outlets are leading to more increased profits than 
from sales of groceries / petrol etc., which is leading to increased floor / shelf space provided and the 
promotion of alcohol products in these outlets and local communities such as posters, door to door flyers. 
(Feedback provided from pilot projects)

* The increased easy availability of alcohol in some local stores in the middle of large local government housing 
estates is a worrying trend/concern. Feedback from communities imply that many more people (adults & young people) 
are drinking more quantities more often at home now, due to the reduced prices, which leads to increased alcohol 
related problems in homes and in local communities. 

* Local people in parishes raised increased concerns of young people congregating outside these shops, getting 
older people to purchase alcohol for them. These issues of availability and low prices appear to have increased 
problem use with both adults and young people. 

* Feedback given also raised concern in relation to deliveries of alcohol by shops, off licences to homes, and 
taxi’s selling and delivering alcohol. 
      
Issue 2 The increasing number of special exemption orders which permit longer opening hours, which are 
obtained by licensed premises around the country:

* Exemption orders appear more widely available; however an increase in observing public houses and clubs obtaining 
these exemptions, extra powers / resources for police or reserves to enforce after-hours drinking, that may 
include underage drinkers may be helpful if done on regular basis.
	
* Many people speak about young people of 15/16years+ drinking in clubs at the weekends but this will continue 
unless these clubs are visited by the law enforcers or the young people are inspected for genuine national I.D. 
cards.

* Increased fines and injunctions on licenses to those found selling to underage drinkers or continuing to sell 
to those intoxicated or after hours.

Issue 3. The use, adequacy and effectiveness of existing sanctions and penalties, particularly those directed 
towards combating excessive and underage alcohol consumption:

Issues worth exploring / considering further:

* Marking of products, leading to tracking may be helpful along with a type of credit card to scan for alcohol 
purchasers.

* Explore, research the benefit of age increase in these outlets

* Reduce alcohol advertising in communities and shops on special offers for below cost selling.

* Make it more difficult to obtain licenses to sell alcohol in shops, petrol stations

* Limit floor space to sell alcohol in shops

* Increased awareness of moderation drinking /education, attitudes, behaviour

* Reduce the price of soft drinks

* Consider intervention at arrest for those entering the justice system 

* Explore extra facilities in communities for youth treatment & engagement.

* Research the value of Local Government/ HSE / Garda /community setting up subgroups to address issues of 
availability, limited licensing, advertisement and power to recommend local law.

The Irish Bishops’ Drugs Initiative has other issues in relation to this subject, that may be helpful to the 
government in combating this national problem however they are not included in this submission as our response 
was to the questions posed. The Irish Bishops’ Drugs Initiative is happy to engage at anytime in the future if 
needed.

John Taaffe
Coordinator
Irish Bishops’ Drugs Initiative
C/o Dap Crosscare, Red House, Clonliffe College Dublin 3
Ph: 01-4433915 Mob: 086-8611531 Email: johntaaffe1@gmail.com

28 January 2008     

ends