Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 613: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received a response to his letter to the Minister for Social Development in Northern Ireland, as per Parliamentary Question No. 289 28 April 2009, suggesting the possibility of a joint North-South initiative to tackle alcohol promotions; the views of that Minister to such a proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30516/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Social Development in Northern Ireland has responded positively to my request for a meeting to discuss a possible joint North-South initiative to tackle alcohol promotions and arrangements for such a meeting are being made at present.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 614: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received and will publish the first report on the implementation of the new voluntary Code of Practice On The Display And Sale Of Alcohol Products In Mixed Trading Premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30517/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 615: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the National Off-Licence Association and its evidence that a number of supermarkets were openly flouting the new voluntary Code of Practice On The Display And Sale Of Alcohol Products In Mixed Trading Premises; if he has investigated these claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30518/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to answer Questions Nos. 614 and 615 together.

The position is that a new body - Responsible Retailing of Alcohol in Ireland (RRAI) - has been established by the mixed trading sector to oversee implementation and verification of compliance with the Code of Practice on the sale and display of alcohol products in mixed trading outlets. The sector has appointed Mr Padraig White as Chairperson of RRAI and I expect to receive the first implementation and verification report from him later this month. I understand that this report will contain details of the progress made in implementing the Code across the mixed trading sector as well as action taken in response to specific complaints, including those made by the National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA). I intend to publish the report on my Department's web site in due course.