Home > Calls for Ireland to follow as Scotland pushes ahead with minimum alcohol price.

[thejournal.ie] Calls for Ireland to follow as Scotland pushes ahead with minimum alcohol price. (04 May 2013)

External website: http://www.thejournal.ie/minimum-price-alcohol-ire...

THERE HAVE BEEN calls for Ireland to follow suit after Scotland pushed ahead with plans to introduce a minimum price for alcohol.

Minimum pricing – which sets a ‘floor’ beneath which alcohol cannot be sold – stops retailers from selling alcohol cheaply in a bid to prevent people from binge drinking.

The Irish government has been debating whether to set a minimum price on alcohol, with Minister for Health James Reilly saying he supports the introduction – but a number of government ministers have said they are concerned about the proposal.

A judge ruled on Friday that plans by the Scottish government to set a minimum price on alcohol is legal after a drinks industry body went to court to say that the government did not have the power to implement such a rule as it would interfere with trade. Scotland plans to set a minimum price of alcohol at 50p a unit (59c).

“The ruling is a significant one, not just for Scotland, but also for Ireland and the other EU countries which are seeking to introduce minimum pricing to tackle alcohol-related harm,” said Conor Cullen of Alcohol Action Ireland.

 

Repository Staff Only: item control page