Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 346: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the situation with respect to the promotion of alcohol at discos or in public houses; the restrictions placed on it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39225/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The position is that section 20 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 provides that a licence holder shall not supply alcohol on the premises at a reduced price during a limited period on any day. "Reduced price" means a price less than that regularly being charged for the alcohol concerned during an earlier period on the day concerned. A licence holder who contravenes this provision is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €1,500 for a first offence or €2,000 for a second or subsequent offence.

In addition, section 16 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 provides for the making of regulations prohibiting or restricting a person from doing or permitting anything that is likely to encourage persons in that place to consume alcohol to an excessive extent. Any such regulations must be notified in draft form to the European Commission under the EU Standards Directive.

Irresponsible promotions of alcohol run counter to ongoing efforts by licensing trade bodies and the Department of Health and Children to promote the responsible sale and serving of alcohol. I would therefore encourage individual licensees not to engage in such promotions and to support activities promoting the responsible sale and serving of alcohol.