asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce his views on the use of a patterned glass for the sale of wine in order to establish the quantity of wine when wine is sold by the glass.
32.
Written Answers. - Sale of Spirits.
31.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if it is obligatory to sell liqueurs by the half glass measure and glass measure similar to legal provisions with regard to the sale of other spirits such as whiskey, brandy and gin.
33.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will enforce the retail price display order, 1976 (wine and spirits), having given the trade notice of his intention now that the legal difficulties in arriving at a number of standard measures for wine have been cleared up.
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 to 33, inclusive, together. Wine sold by the glass must be sold in one of the standard measures approved by the Department of Industry and Commerce for use in trade. In February 1985 the Government approved, under the Weights and Measures Acts, 1878 to 1936, the addition of the standard of 125 ml to the list of approved standards to cater specifically for the sale of wine by the glass. Legal questions relating to the requirement of pattern approval under the weights and measures legislation of this standard are at present under examination. Resolution of these questions will help clear the way for effective enforcement of the Retail Price (Beverages in Licensed Premises) Display Order, 1976, which applies to all beverages, including wine, offered for sale in licensed premises.
It is obligatory to sell all intoxicating liquor, including liqueurs, (when not sold in an unopened container) in one of the standard measures approved by the Department of Industry and Commerce for use in trade. No particular sizes are specifically prescribed for the sale of any particular spirits. Traditionally, whiskey, brandy and gin are sold in the half gill (71 ml) and quarter gill (35.5 ml) measures.