Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

Reports in the media have suggested that the abolition of the groceries order has resulted in the wide availability of low-cost alcohol and an associated increase in consumption. The order was abolished primarily because it allowed wholesalers and suppliers to determine minimum retail prices for consumers, thereby constraining price competition in the grocery trade. It was not designed to address the issue of alcohol abuse and there is no evidence from studies to suggest it was capable of doing so.

The high level development interdepartmental committee established to examine the recommendation made by the consumer strategy group considered the issue of alcohol and its report contained a number of recommendations including the abolition of the limit on the number of pub licences, the introduction of new forms of licence designed to cater for changing consumer tastes and the interpretation of retail planning guidelines in a manner promoting competition. This is consistent across local authorities, with the result that planning regulations are not used as a barrier to entry in respect of pub and other licences.

Statistics do not support the hypothesis that the abolition of the groceries order has resulted in the increased consumption of alcohol.

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