Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A young person can buy 20 bottles of a particular brand of alcohol for €20 in a supermarket, yet one could pay €120 for the same number of bottles of the product in a pub if the group of young people were able to consume the 20 bottles in the evening. There is a significant difference in price. How can one pay €5.50 or €6 for a bottle of alcohol that can be sold in a supermarket for €1? Obviously people will go to the supermarket to buy it. What has been the engagement with Government on this issue? The reality is that part of the cultural life of Ireland historically has been the pub, where one goes to have a drink with friends, act responsibly and not drink too much. It has been part of our culture. If people can purchase the same amount of alcohol for a fraction of the price in some premises, what is the reason for the price differential? What efforts have been made by the representatives to gain an understanding why Government has not addressed this issue? In the current economic climate people will buy alcohol at the cheapest possible price. The National Off-Licence Association and the Vintners' Federation of Ireland must be responsible but the Government has left them in this situation.