Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will liaise with the Department of Justice to consider introducing a ban on below cost selling of alcohol products and also to prevent the loss of VAT income to the state through reclaimed VAT on losses incurred in below cost selling of alcohol products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35923/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Since the repeal of the Restrictive Practices legislation, no statutory basis exists for me, as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, to make a minimum pricing order.

I am aware of concerns raised about the high level of consumption of alcohol and the consequential detrimental effects caused to individuals and to society in general, particularly from a health aspect. Government's response will be informed by the findings of the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, which was published earlier this year.

Issues relating to VAT are a matter for the Minister for Finance and the Revenue Commissioners.