689. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will review the legal metrology (intoxicating liquor) regulations that restrict licensed premises to serving draught beer and cider only in imperial pint (568ml) and half-pint (284ml); if he will consider amending the regulations to allow CE-marked metric quantities such as 150ml, 300ml, and 400ml in line with EU practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45799/25]
690. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether the current prohibition on serving draught beer and cider in smaller metric volumes is solely a matter of domestic law enforced by the NSAI; the steps he will take to bring the State's practice into line with EU Directive 80/181/EEC on metrication and Directive 2009/34/EC on measuring instruments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45800/25]

Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: I propose to take Questions Nos. 689 and 690 together.

Alcohol licensing is a matter for the Department of Health.

There is no legal requirement to serve pints or any rules about drink sizes – smaller quantities may be served – but it is the practice and custom in Ireland. Currently, the only measuring instruments in trade use that are not covered by EU Directives are drinks dispensers for alcohol. Instruments not covered by the Directives (i.e. alcohol dispensers) can be nationally type approved.

The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) ensures accuracy in alcohol measurements by inspecting and certifying measuring instruments used by traders and verifying pre-packaged goods to ensure correct quantities. For a 35.5 ml pour of spirits (whiskey, gin, vodka) in an Irish pub, the NSAI's Legal Metrology division oversees compliance with standards, though they do not specify a legal requirement for all drinks like sherry or port, which may be sold by the glass at a publican's discretion.

NSAI has not reported any issue with the legislation enacted in Ireland regarding glass sizes. Its role is to check the manufacturer’s CE mark to ensure that it is correct.

Any change to alcohol regulation is expressly a matter for the Department of Health.

Question No. 690 answered with Question No. 689.