Áine Collins (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to return to the point about minimum pricing versus below-cost selling. I have an article from Alcohol Action Ireland which points out that if we were to introduce below-cost selling for alcohol the law would be extremely complicated. There are issues with regard to transport, VAT and duty, so what would be the actual below-cost price? There would be similar issues. The article highly recommends the minimum pricing model as the way forward, stating it would benefit moderate drinkers, restrict harm to social health, be good for business, decrease workplace absenteeism and bring about significant savings to the State from alcohol-related health and crime costs.

The article also stated that small retailers and off-licences would be put on a level playing field with larger multiple retailers and larger retailers could not simply absorb the price increases, as can happen with other pricing policies. Is Ms Jones saying that is not the case?