Government to set min price on gargle

drdeadlift · 22-10-2013 4:42pm #1

Just seen this posted on the it site.
Is this to stop underselling or is it to hike the tax take..or is it the vintners lobbying?

A part of me feels the government shouldnt have a say on the price on drink or almost anything else

syklops · 22-10-2013 4:47pm

Minimum price for alcohol to be introduced
Cabinet decides to proceed with range of measures but proposed sports sponsorship ban kicked to touch

The Government has shelved plans to ban the sponsorship of sporting events by drinks companies but it will proceed with the introduction of a minimum price regime for alcohol.

The cabinet today decided to proceed with a range of measures to try and control the abuse of alcohol but the proposed sports sponsorship ban which was due to come into force in 2020 has been kicked to touch.

Instead, a working group under the Department of the Taoiseach will report back in 12 months on the implications of the ending of sports sponsorship.

An outright ban will only be considered if and when other means of funding sport have been identified and secured.

The cabinet decided to press ahead with a range of other measures designed to curb the abuse of alcohol, particularly by under-age drinkers.

The main element of the plan is the introduction of minimum prices for alcohol. The new pricing structure will be calculated on the sale price per gram of alcohol.

The system will be introduced after consultation with the Northern Ireland authorities to ensure that there are no major differences in the price structure on both sides of the border.

The is a question mark over whether a minimum price arrangement will be legal under EU competition law but the Government has decided to press ahead.

Another element of the plan will be a ban of drinks advertising on television during the day and early evening and it is expected that a watershed time limit of 9 pm will be introduced.

There will also be a ban on drinks advertising in cinemas during films that are screened for people aged under 18.

New regulations for the display of alcohol in supermarkets and other retail outlets will also be introduced. A strict code for separating alcohol from other products will be policed by environmental inspectors.

A new labeling regime for alcohol products with health warnings and a clear statement of the alcohol strength and calorie count also features in the plan.

Stupid short sighted move IMO. This will effectively make alcohol more expensive which translates to families on low incomes having less money for food.

tin79 · 22-10-2013 4:48pm

It should be called swallow rather than gargle.

uch · 22-10-2013 4:48pm

syklops wrote: »

Stupid short sighted move IMO. This will effectively make alcohol more expensive which translates to families on low incomes having less money for food.

How exactly ?

mikom · 22-10-2013 4:49pm

There is no problem that a tax, levy or charge can't solve according to our "betters".

tin79 · 22-10-2013 4:50pm

uch wrote: »

How exactly ?

It starts off by you missing the joke. And then you missed the joke.

somuj · 22-10-2013 4:51pm

uch wrote: »

How exactly ?

:rolleyes:

folan · 22-10-2013 4:52pm

has this been shown to be effective elsewhere?

i thought they introduced it in scotland, but to very little success?

Dravokivich · 22-10-2013 4:52pm

uch wrote: »

How exactly ?

More money spent on one thing, means less money to spend on another.

keeponhurling · 22-10-2013 4:52pm

Part of my understands that drink can be a problem, A&E wards fulla t weekends due to a fewe drunken idiots.

But also, the government shouldn't be over controlling, they have to let people make their own decisions on whether they want to drink or not, and not be a nanny state

Specialun · 22-10-2013 4:52pm

any coincidence that this is happening at the same time that vintners are well pissed off over wetherspoons showing up?

Artful_Badger · 22-10-2013 4:53pm

syklops wrote: »

Stupid short sighted move IMO. This will effectively make alcohol more expensive which translates to families Alcoholics on low incomes having less money for food.

Fixed.

Banjo String · 22-10-2013 4:55pm

. The system will be introduced after consultation with the Northern Ireland authorities to ensure that there are no major differences in the price structure on both sides of the border.

Sounds like price fixing.

Their is a question mark over whether a minimum price arrangement will be legal under EU competition law but the Government has decided to press ahead.

Let's hope it is.

In fed up with this nanny state tbh.

**** constantly trying to control every little aspect of our lives.

Roll on locals.

Dravokivich · 22-10-2013 4:56pm

Artful_Badger wrote: »

Fixed.

I think how you "fixed" it is part of the problem whit their attitude towards consumers. The assumption that anyone who purchases drink in large quantities is an alcoholic is nonsense, and charging them more in an "effort" to prevent them from buying more is just as nuts.

If we don't buy enough fresh fruit, should that become cheaper?

Artful_Badger · 22-10-2013 4:59pm

Dravokivich wrote: »

I think how you "fixed" it is part of the problem whit their attitude towards consumers. The assumption that anyone who purchases drink in large quantities is an alcoholic is nonsense, and charging them more in an "effort" to prevent them from buying more is just as nuts.

If we don't buy enough fresh fruit, should that become cheaper?

Its the assumption that those who would still consume alcohol while doing so affects their ability to adequately feed themselves would have a serious problem in relation to alcohol. Which seems to me a perfectly valid assumption.

Whatever valid issues there is with this min price "people wont stop drinking so wont have money for food" isnt one of them.

syklops · 22-10-2013 5:01pm

uch wrote: »

How exactly ?

Most people fund their drinking habits from their disposable income. If they don't have a disposable income, then they don't go out, or don't buy drink. Addicts can't rationalise in the same way. When money is tight and they are forced with the dilemma buy drink or buy food, they will buy drink.

A family with an alcoholic in it, if their income doesn't change but the price of alcohol goes up, the family have less money as a result.

listermint · 22-10-2013 5:02pm

folan wrote: »

has this been shown to be effective elsewhere?

i thought they introduced it in scotland, but to very little success?

Its Ireland, Sure whenever its proven not to work elsewhere. It will work here obviously...

Look at austerity, arent we boomy boom times round here.

syklops · 22-10-2013 5:02pm

Artful_Badger wrote: »

Fixed.

What about the dependants of the alcoholic. What if the alcoholic in question is a single mother of two?

Artful_Badger · 22-10-2013 5:07pm

syklops wrote: »

What about the dependants of the alcoholic. What if the alcoholic in question is a single mother of two?

Then they are already likely abusing or neglecting their dependents to some degree. If these things become apparent the state is obligated to step in and do something but only then. You cant make decisions based on how it will affect addicts who will neglect their children to get their fix. No more than you can give them extra welfare payments to cover the cost of the alcohol.

rubadub · 22-10-2013 5:11pm

folan wrote: »

has this been shown to be effective elsewhere?

i thought they introduced it in scotland, but to very little success?

They planned/discussed introducing it in Scotland, they were left like red faced ignorant idiots when they found out the plan was illegal in the EU, after wasting christ knows how much money on it.

Luckily we were once bitten, twice shy, and did not make fools out of ourselves too, oh wait...

coffee_cake · 22-10-2013 5:12pm

drdeadlift wrote: »

Just seen this posted on the it site.
Is this to stop underselling or is it to hike the tax take..or is it the vintners lobbying?

A part of me feels the government shouldnt have a say on the price on drink or almost anything else

It's the pubs, like they told us they would do and now they seem to have done it

MadYaker · 22-10-2013 5:13pm

I wish there was a bigger booze black market in Ireland. If this jacks up the price considerably it's where a lot of people will turn, just like cigarettes.

22-10-2013 5:14pm

This sort of thing really annoys me, the government have no place in setting a minimum price on what a shop can sell drink at. Drink is already way too expensive in this country.

At least they have seen sense and ditched the stupid idea of banning drinks companies sponsoring sporting events.

mfceiling · 22-10-2013 5:14pm

It's about time tbh...

Why should someone like me who drinks 2 or 3 cans at the weekend after a hard weeks work, be expected to be allowed relatively cheap beer?

The lad drinking 15 or 16 pints and ending up in hospital...surely he's entitled too

Atlantic Dawn · 22-10-2013 5:15pm

What about countries with alcohol half the price of Ireland and available in every corner shop and little or no alcohol misuse problems, why don't we follow their lead and reduce the price?

SEPT 23 1989 · 22-10-2013 5:20pm

The system will be introduced after consultation with the Northern Ireland authorities to ensure that there are no major differences in the price structure on both sides of the border.

im sure there will be

Newry here we come

Skid X · 22-10-2013 5:22pm

Stupid idea, probably illegal and will only drive more revenue to Northern Ireland's Supermarkets and Off-Licences.

Dravokivich · 22-10-2013 5:24pm

Artful_Badger wrote: »

Its the assumption that those who would still consume alcohol while doing so affects their ability to adequately feed themselves would have a serious problem in relation to alcohol. Which seems to me a perfectly valid assumption.

Whatever valid issues there is with this min price "people wont stop drinking so wont have money for food" isnt one of them.

My comment referring to fresh fruit, could have in reference to anything. The idea of setting a min price to reduce spending on something seen as destructive to the consumer should be questioned with the idea of setting a max price on something seen as beneficial to the consumer.

Its total bollox just like limiting the availability of when one can go to an off license.

giant_midget · 22-10-2013 5:31pm

The government also should be looking to set a MAX level of pricing for pubs? Nothing wrong with that idea...

humbert · 22-10-2013 5:43pm

Such blatant corruption. Sean Sherlock and SOPA, Enda Kenny refusing to reform the senate in an attempt to have it abolished, and this second restriction on off-licence sales solely of benefit to publicans. Shower of cunts.

Jimoslimos · 22-10-2013 5:46pm

MadYaker wrote: »

I wish there was a bigger booze black market in Ireland. If this jacks up the price considerably it's where a lot of people will turn, just like cigarettes.

You ever hear of methanol poisoning? Black market alcohol is a bad thing.

Government to set min price on gargle

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