Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

The Minister has taken one side and we have taken the other. This regulation is heavy-handed and does not make sense. I agree with proper regulation. Perhaps the Minister should have considered the sale of beer, but he did not take that option. In America, low-alcohol beers are available in convenience stores, but not those with a higher alcohol content. The availability of spirits and alcopops is a very serious issue. The whole situation is a mess and the Minister has not thought it through. I therefore oppose the regulation.

What happened to the promises made by the Minister in his written reply to Deputy Olivia Mitchell? The Minister has again come to the lobby's defence.

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