Mr. Jim McCabe:

If we were sitting here as independent artisan butchers or bakers, I could understand the argument about below-cost selling. We are not. We are here as sellers of alcohol. It goes back to Deputy Kyne's point. We are in a regulated business. Alcohol is our business but, unfortunately, we are in a situation where all those outside alternatives are affecting our business. If alcohol was regulated better, then we might find a supermarket selling its bread or whatever at really low prices. Unfortunately, the supermarkets are subsidising by using alcohol to get consumers in.

We work with health bodies and the Department. Commentators say it is amazing to see the off-licence sector sitting beside Alcohol Action Ireland, but we both have the same aims at the end of the day. We are meant to be responsible retailers. We are meant to do certain things because of Government regulation and all we are trying to do is that. The difference between us and, say, the butcher is that we are under this regulation. It is not fair to keep alcohol, bread and whatever side by side and speak side by side as well.