224. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to tackle the promotion and sale of cheap alcohol; his further plans to amend opening hours for off-licences; his plans to sign section 16 of the Liquor Act 2008. [8270/11]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter): The position is that section 16(1)(b) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 provides for the making of regulations to prohibit or restrict licensees from selling or supplying alcohol products at a reduced price or free of charge on the purchase of any quantity of alcohol or any other product or service. Draft regulations have been drawn up but have not been implemented to date pending agreement on a joint North/South approach to restricting alcohol promotions. Preliminary discussions on such a joint approach have already taken place between officials on both sides and I am confident that agreement can be reached at ministerial level without undue difficulty. Such a joint approach is needed in order to ensure that the effectiveness of measures introduced by regulations under section 16 would not be undermined or substantially offset by increased cross-border purchasing of alcohol.