Moss Whelan of ‘The Coin Off Licence’ is unsure how the proposed legislation will affect his business.
THERE was a positive reaction from publicans in Tralee to plans by the Government to introduce a set minimum price per gram of alcohol.
The Department of Health is examining the idea of introducing a minimum price of between 9c and 11c per gram of alcohol. That means the minimum cost of an unit of alcohol – about half a pint of beer or a small glass of wine – will be set between 90c and €1.10.
If the higher price is imposed, it means a bottle of wine could not be legally sold for less than €8.80 and a can of beer for €2.20.
If the Government opts for the lower price option, a bottle of wine will cost at least €7.20 and a can of beer €1.80.
It is all part of a move by Minister For Health Leo Varadkar as part of his mission to curtail the selling of cheap alcohol, which he believes is fuelling the rise of a drinking problem in Ireland.
Tralee Vintners Chairman, John O’Sullivan of The Munster Bar, appeared on Radio Kerry’s ‘Kerry Today’ programme saying it’s likely people will go back to the pubs if this new legislation is introduced.
Elsewhere we spoke to fellow vintner, Danny Leane Snr of The Abbey Inn was happy with the proposals as he sees it as good news for pubs and as a way of stopping young people over-drinking before heading out.
“It’s good news of course for pubs. It should have been done years ago though. You won’t have young fellas falling all over the place. You’d see young fellas walking around with bottles of vodka. If you walk into a pub and ask for vodka, you know what you’re getting.”
Over in Baily’s Corner, Garry O’Donnell, welcomed the proposals.
“I think it’s a good thing and will help the pub industry. I hope they follow through with it,” said Garry.
“The safest place to drink in Ireland is in the pub for many reasons; you have to be sober when you arrive, we pour by a measure, you have to have money and we close on time. Whereas in a house it’s ‘free pour’. Some people are coming out and they’re polluted before they ever hit a bar after drinking slabs of beer and bottles of spirits at home,” he said.
Moss Whelan of ‘The Coin Off-Licence’ had a mixed reaction however, as he was unsure as to how the legislation would be implemented and how it would affect everyone involved.
“It all depends on the prices. If they put up a bottle of wine to whatever price, how is that going to work? Is it going to cost me more to buy in? Are they going to raise the duty on it? Are they [the Government] going to make more out of it?”
“It took them long enough to get around to this thing and they haven’t done it properly yet either.”
“At the moment, it’s going to favour the publicans. They’re trying to get people drinking in the pubs again. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens really,” he said.
We’ll have to wait and see indeed, with the legislation not due to come before the Dáil until later this year.
When you walk into a pub and ask for a vodka you know what your getting??
There’s a few pubs I can think of in this Town and county that put water into there vodka so I think he’s wrong there.
We all shouldn’t have to pay extra just cause a few people can’t handle there drink. It’s all more tax and money for the government