Alcohol Sales

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2015

Tuesday, 16 June 2015

Ceisteanna (474)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

474. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 208 of 28 April 2015 and 127 and 143 of 14 May 2015 in respect of distance sales of alcohol, if she is aware of legal advice obtained by senior gardaí in Ballymun, Dublin 11, on foot of a request for direction from the Director of Public Prosecutions, regarding payment on delivery for alcohol sales, which is in direct contradiction to the views of the Government alcohol advisory group 2008 report as outlined in her reply to this Deputy on 28 April 2015; and if she will provide clarification in this regard. [23733/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

The Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position to comment on any particular case in my capacity as Minister for Justice and Equality. Moreover, I have no function in relation to independent legal advice provided by the Director of Public Prosecutions to the Gardaí in response to matters referred to the Director.

As stated in replies to the previous Parliamentary Questions referred to by the Deputy, the Government Legislation Programme provides for future publication of the Sale of Alcohol Bill. The Bill, which will update the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2011 and replace them with provisions more suited to modern conditions, will provide an opportunity to further consider the difficulties arising in relation the control of distance sales of intoxicating liquor and the enforcement of such controls.