602.  Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the efforts he has made to ensure the appropriate selling and marketing of alcohol in pubs, off-licences, supermarkets and in public places. [35616/11]

Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): Section 9 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 provides for the structural separation of alcohol from other products in mixed trading premises such as supermarkets, convenience stores and garage forecourts. The then Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform deferred commencement of these provisions subject to achieving sector-wide compliance to the agreed Code of Practice on the Sale and Display of Alcohol in Mixed Trading Premises. This Code, which was agreed with trade representatives and the Departments of Health and Justice and Equality in 2008, sets out voluntary commitments on structural separation, advertising and training. It is subject to independent monitoring and submission of an annual implementation report to the Minister for Justice and Equality. Implementation of the code is overseen by the independently chaired Responsible Retailing of Alcohol in Ireland – a group which is comprised of representatives of the mixed traders.