Mr. Jim McCabe:

As Deputy Higgins said earlier, the availability is a very important part of the problem we have today. Twenty years ago supermarkets could not sell alcohol and now it is possible to buy a can of beer in every corner shop. Responsibility is very important. We believe it is very important to make it difficult for people to sell alcohol, to have mandatory training as we have requested, to have a mandatory ID card as we requested, and to have the separation of alcohol from non-alcoholic products. Supermarkets have entire walls of cheap booze. The Minister for Justice and Equality has said the voluntary code is not working and he has promised to review it. However, nothing has changed with the Pampers still beside the Budweiser.

As small independent off-licence owners we tell a story of generations of winemakers, small distilleries and craft beers. Alcohol is not bad as such, but the way that it is sold is the big problem. The Minister can sign separation into effect straightaway - he does not need legislation. It is one step among many. We have worked with the Department of Health on other things and we are fully supportive of any measures. While we sell alcohol, it is up to the Government to legislate for us to sell alcohol. We welcome legislation, but it is not happening and it needs to happen.