Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has reviewed the practice of giving away free alcohol in retail outlets as part of an alcohol promotion or marketing campaign targeting younger people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45442/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Section 16 (1) (b) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 provides for the prohibition or restriction of a licensee from selling or supplying intoxicating liquor at a reduced price or free of charge on the purchase of a quantity of alcohol. Regulations are required in order to give effect to this provision. Under the terms of the EU Technical Standards Directives, any such regulations have to be notified in draft form to the European Commission so as to facilitate an examination of whether the proposed regulations interfere with the internal market.

Regulations to give effect to section 16(1)(b) of the 2008 Act have been drafted by my Department in consultation with the Department of Health and Children and the Office of the Attorney General. These draft regulations have recently been notified to the European Commission. This process takes a minimum of three months. The draft regulations are intended to reduce the risk of the excessive consumption of alcohol among young drinkers, although the proposals are not targeted exclusively at this age group.