Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2010
12 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will explain the way his recently announced test purchasing scheme in which minors will be involved in attempting to catch publicans selling alcohol to minors correlates with the requirement for the State to uphold the best interests of the child as its primary consideration [35390/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 14 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 makes provision for the test purchasing of alcohol products. It also provides that the Minister for Justice and Law Reform shall issue guidelines in respect of the procedures to be followed with respect of the practical operation of the scheme following consultation with the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Health and Children. I am pleased to say that the test purchasing scheme was broadly welcomed in this House during the discussions leading up to enactment of the legislation in 2008.
The guidelines for the test purchasing scheme, which were recently launched by the Garda Commissioner and myself, were drawn up by a working group comprising representatives of the Gardaí, Office of the Minister for Children, Office of Tobacco Control and the Departments of Health and Children, and Justice and Law Reform. The primary concern of the group throughout the drafting process was to ensure the welfare of those involved in test purchasing operations. For this purpose, the group drew on test purchasing guidelines already in operation in England, and also had Northern Ireland's guidelines at its disposal. In addition, Garda representatives visited Liverpool during this period to observe test purchasing operations on the ground as well as the training and other safeguards put in place to safeguard the welfare of those involved in test purchasing operations.
I am satisfied therefore that the welfare of those involved has been taken fully into account in drafting the guidelines for the test purchasing scheme. The guidelines will ensure that their welfare will underpin each stage of test purchasing operations.
