Nora Owen
Question:140 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Finance the number of wine retailers off-licences that exist in the country; and the court action, fines and other such action that has resulted because of contravention by licencees in 1993.
Written Answers. - Wine Retailers Off-Licences.
A wine retailer's off-licence permits the sale of wine for consumption off the premises; it can only be obtained by persons who already hold a spirit and/or beer retailer's off-licence or by persons who are registered druggists or chemists.
For the period 1 October 1992 to 30 September 1993 (the most recent licensing year), a total of 355 wine off-licences were issued by Collectors of Customs and Excise. No court action was initiated by the Revenue Commissioners against persons for failure to have a wine off-licence in that period. However, the Garda prosecuted one wine retailer off-licencee on 8 March 1993 in connection with under-age drinking. This prosecution was dismissed on 14 October 1993.