IRISH OFF LICENCES AND WINE SHOPS TO BE TREATED LIKE SEX SHOPS?

The RRAI (mixed traders) are calling on Minister Shatter to enact the Miscellaneous Provisions Bill (Codes of Practice in regard to the sale of alcohol) in order to ensure that mixed traders comply with the RRAI voluntary Code, because if they do not they are afraid that, the Minister for Justice will sign in Section 9. This means that mixed traders would have to structurally separate their off licences from their grocery etc.


However the RRAI are now seeking to use the acceptance of Codes of Practice as a means to draw specialist alcohol retailers into this , by advocating the removal of the display and merchandising of products in the windows of specialist shops, holding a licence to sell alcohol.
Do they not recognize that:
• Independent specialist outlets display alcohol because that is the only product.they sell.


Will we have to black out our windows? Will our customers be required to wear rain macs?!

A universal code will apply to pubs as well and I can`t see that being taken lightly by them either!

Noffla would ask its mixed trader members to consider the following points and to bring it to the attention to the RRAI management that:

• they got a serious get out of jail card when the minister did not sign in section 9
• it is their own voluntary Code that prohibits the display or merchandising of alcoholic products in their windows .
• if mixed traders are not happy with this part of their voluntary code then remove it.
• this was not imposed on them by the Independent specialist sector and they now seek to impose it on us?
•this is not a Independent specialist sector issue and that it is their own code that is flawed.
•Independent specialists were legislated for in 2008.
•Independent specialists did not get an option to voluntarily enforce 10pm closing at that time.


So lets be clear here. The RRAI have TOLD the Minister in its compliance report that it

"expects"

that relevant aspects of an approved Code of compliance under the proposed legislation would apply to these off-licences.”

We

"expect"

that due to this chaos Minister Shatter will be forced to implement section 9 which will ultimately prove expensive for the smaller players in the grocery trade, but that will suit the retail giants just dandy as there will be less competition for them.

Politics are local! So all members need to get busy talking to their government representatives on this matter.It`s your livelihood!

Evelyn Jones
Noffla Chairperson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See excerpt from the latest RRAI report written by Mr Padraic White "Independent" Chairperson.

7.3 Promotion and Merchandising of Alcohol Products
by Stand-Alone Off-Licences

As indicated in my First Compliance Report, the RRAI members regard the exclusion of stand-alone off-licences from compliance with an agreed Code as an increasingly apparent anomaly. They have pointed to the fact that, while the Code prohibits the display or merchandising of alcoholic products in the window of mixed trader’s premises, there is no such restriction on stand-alone off-licence stores.



The RRAI expects that relevant aspects of an approved Code of compliance under the proposed legislation would apply to these off-licences.

Response on behalf of An Taoiseach Mr. Enda Kenny

29 April 2011

Dear Ms. Jones,

The Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny T.D. has asked me to refer to your recent letter.

The Taoiseach has carefully noted the issues you have raised and he appreciates you taking the time and trouble to share your views with him.

The Taoiseach has asked me to pass on his best wishes to you.

Yours sincerely,
David King
Assistant Private Secretary to the Taoiseach

Response Peter Mathews TD, Fine Gael, Dublin South

14th April 2011

Dear Evelyn,

Thank you for your letter and please accept my apologies for the delay in replying. It took longer than expected to be allocated an office in Leinster House and I am only now catching up on a backlog of correspondence.

I read your letter with interest and I have raised this issue with the Minister for Finance by way of Parliamentary Question. Please find enclosed the response I received.

The Minister does not commit to reviewing this proposal. However, i will personally hand your letter to the Minister to ensure that the points you have raised are brought to his direct attention.

Please do not hesitate to contact me again if I can be of help on any local or national issue.

Dail Question No. 106
To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to revisit suggestions that the excise duty on wine will be increased because many jobs have already been lost in the off-licensce industry as a result of earlier closing times, cross borders shopping and the economic downturn; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

RELPY
Minister for Finance ( Mr. Noonan)
As the Deputy will be aware , taxes are considered in the context of the Budget process. It is the usual practice for the Minister for Finance not to speculate in advance of a Budget on what it will contain; and I do not propose to deviate from that practice.

Response Michael NoonanTD, Minister for Finance

21 April 2011

Dear Ms. Jones,

The Minister for Finance, Mr. Michael Noonan TD, has asked me to thank you for your letter of 8 March 2011 in relation to concerns for the Off-Licence trade, and for your good wishes.

The concerns expressed in your letter will be considered in the context of any deliberations in advance of the next Budget.

Yours sincerely,
Sean Kinsella
Private Secretary to the Minister for Finance

Response on behalf of Eamon Gilmore,An Tanaiste and Labour Party Leader

March 16, 2011
Dear Ms Jones,
Thank you for your recent correspondence to Eamon Gilmore TD, Leader of the Labour Party and your congratulations and good wishes.  Eamon has asked me to reply on his behalf.
As you will know since the election we have agreed to form a Government with Fine Gael.
That Government is based on an agreed programme that we hope will bring the country great benefit.  I enclose a copy of that programme for your information which deals with some of the issuesyou raise.  We hope that Labour does make a difference for Ireland. That is what being in Government is all about.  Together we will make Ireland the best place for all and look forward to working with you.
Please keep in touch.
Yours sincerely,
Dermot Lacey

Response Fine Gael TD Tom Barry, Cork

March 16th, 2011
Dear Ms. Jones,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your congratulations and to assure
you that I look forward to working with you and your organisation in the coming months
and years.
If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Yours sincerely,
Deputy Tom Barry

Response Micheál Martin, Fianna Fáil

14th March 2011
Dear Ms Jones,
I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 2nd March 2011 and I appreciate your kind
words of congratulations. I have noted the points you have outlined.
Yours sincerely,
Uachtaran Fianna Fail
Micheál Martin

Response Fine Gael TD Dara Murphy, Cork

11th March 2011
Dear Evelyn,
Many thanks for your letter dated 8th March 2011 and your kind wishes which I can assure you are very much appreciated.I have taken on board your points with regards to the increase in excise duty on wine.
I will look into this matter and speak with my colleagues regarding same.
I will revert to you shortly when I have information for you.
Kind regards,
Dara Murphy TD

Response Independent TD Catherine Murphy

14 March 2011
Dear Ms. Jones,
On behalf of Deputy Catherine Murphy, T.D., I wish to acknowledge receipt of your recent
letter, congratulating her on securing a seat in Dail Eireann in the recent General Election.
Deputy Murphy has asked me to say that she has noted the contents of your correspondence,
and thanks you for taking the time to write to her.
Yours sincerely
Sheila Clifford
Secretarial Assistant

Response Fine Gael TD Tony McLoughlin

11 March 2011

Dear Evelyn
Thank you for your letter of congratulations and good wishes on my election
to Dail Eireann. I am anxious to highlight a number of issues.
I will study the documentation that you sent me and the points raised in your
letter.  I will keep these issues on my files and look forward to meeting you either
locally or in Leinster House when the opportunity arises.

Yours sincerely
Tony McLoughlin TD

Response Independent TD Michael Lowry

9th of March, 2011

Dear Evelyn,
I refer to your letter to my office, which I received this morning. Firstly let
me thank you for taking the time to write to my office to express your
concerns.
Let me assure you that I will bring these most serious concerns to the
attention of the relevant authorities.

Yours sincerely,
MICHAEL LOWRY T.D.

END BELOW COST SELLING ...THE DISCUSSION BEGINS..IS THERE A SOLUTION?PART 2

See previous post for context

The Beer Nut said...

It is impossible to beat Tesco at their own game. Get out of the race and concentrate on offering things that lumbering giant Tesco will never be able to do: selection and customer service. You will always have to charge more than Tesco for any given product, so either let them have it and use the free shelf-space for something that will bring customers in, or else justify your premium by giving customers a better experience than they get in the supermarket. You have an agility to do that, Tesco does not. And drop the public health policy bit. Alcohol consumption in Ireland has been decreasing steadily since 2001. The abolition of the Groceries Order had no effect on it. It did not make things worse. By calling for new alcohol legislation on health grounds you're agreeing with those who want to severely reduce access to alcohol altogether: the same ones who forced you to close your doors at 10pm. The health argument is not a friend of your business.

March 9, 2011 7:22 AM

NoffLA said...

Agree and thanks for your input. It is difficult for Independent off licences in many parts of the country to compete against multiples selling main stream branded products below cost. Often this is what their customers want to purchase.Sales of niche wines and micro brewery beers just wont pay the overheads and neither will selling below cost.Meanwhile alcohol is being used by the multiples to drive other types of sales in order to gain market share and this is very disheartning.

March 9, 2011 2:03 PM

The Beer Nut said...

I understand. But every business needs to adapt to the market, and when competing on price is not an option (and it never will be with Tesco, however the law is changed) you need to find something else. It doesn't have to niche wines or micro brewery beers or ultra-premium whiskeys. How about glassware? Flowers? Chocolates? Cigars? Coffee? I've seen all of these in Irish off licences. One even does cheese. The best off licences I know are the ones who engage with their customers. They hold tasting events and they promote themselves and their stock, vigorously, through the social media. They build a community of customers (like me) who keep coming back and spending money, and buying things that perhaps we hadn't thought of buying when we went in. Some of them do home delivery too. Off licences that are just sitting there passively waiting for the customer to come in and buy stuff should not be surprised that their customer is getting it in Tesco with the milk.

March 9, 2011 2:24 PM

WoW Girls said...

Beer Nut you are spot on with your comments. Keep them coming. Can you elaborate a bit on the benefits of social media as a sales tool for the unconverted ...allowing for those around the country with no broadband coverage!

The Beer Nut said...

Officially (and I know IrelandOffline refute this) 99% of Ireland has broadband coverage. Forfás figures from end 2009 have broadband in 54% of Irish households, a bit lower than the EU average, but not by much. My point is that for a business to decide "ah, sure none of my customers use Facebook or Twitter" is a huge mistake. 50% of Irish people are on Facebook. 50%! Why you wouldn't be putting a display in a free virtual shop window like that is beyond me. If you don't know how, then that's where, I think, maybe you should ask your representative organisation to arrange help for you. Back in the real world there are outlets like the local paper and your own front window to advertise events, tastings, new stock, limited editions and other stuff that will help get people through your door. Make these regular and constantly changing, and you're more likely to get people into the habit of visiting your shop. Yes, it's all effort, and hassle, and might even cost a bit of money. But I think at this stage it's an investment as necessary for survival as a fridge or a credit card machine.

March 10, 2011 3:45 AM

 

March 10, 2011 3:45 AM  COMMENT EMAIL: PAT 

Read the blog/history with interest.

The very kernel of the unfortunate heart of the matter is contained in your background on Tesco.

Put bluntly, Tesco owns both the British and Irish governments and neither  government will do more than the bare minimum for appearances sake.

END BELOW COST SELLING ...THE DISCUSSION BEGINS..IS THERE A SOLUTION? PART 1

COPY OF INITIAL POST AT THE END  FOR CONTEXT.

COMMENT:

If indeed there is an appetite to deal with below cost selling then perhaps price regulation is the way forward. 

I think we used to have it for fuel (in terms of a maximum retail price) and I’m pretty sure it still exists for tobacco (in terms of minimum retail price).

Government sets a price below which a product cannot be sold on health grounds – end of?

REPLY:

Minimum/pricing will not really  work I am afraid although it could be a something at the very lower end of the market maybe.

It is the below cost selling of major brands by the multiples, in order to attract shoppers in, that is the problem .

So minimum  pricing... lets say wine : € 5 ..beer: 80 cent .... spirits: € 15 ..this will not be any help to us ?  and I don't see them going any higher than this as there are lesser known brands that sell at these prices and are not below cost.

What do you think?

COMMENT:

Appreciate your argument and agree completely – if one were seeking to prevent below cost retailing it wouldn’t be practical to simply have a generic minimum retail price for say a can of beer or a bottle of wine – one would require individual prices to be set for all products and sizes offered and that would be costly and difficult to maintain and verify.

I’m actually not convinced that there’s an appetite for change but if there were it seems that the achievable goal might be simpler, easier solution around minimum pricing based on alcoholic content and to wrap it around public health.   

E.g. as a matter of public health policy it isn't desirable that a standard (say 500ml) measure/strength of beer/cider/perry be made available for consumption at less than €… (regardless of cost), that a standard (say 70cl) measure of wine could not be made available for consumption at less than €…

REPLY:

Yes agree, but does that not still leaves us with the same problem as I don't believe the Government will go much above those prices I mentioned, no matter what the method of calculation.The big brands will still be able to be discounted either way , driving customers out of our shops and into the mults.

TO BE CONTINUED....

All ideas welcome! Email info@noffla.ie or post a comment here. 


COPY OF INITIAL POST BELOW FOR CONTEXT.

The problem with trying to end below cost selling is coming up with an  mechanism that will actually work.

 A mechanism banning sales below total duty and vat will not work as on a €7 euro btl of wine this only comes to €3.20.

 A mechanism banning sales below  invoice price will just mean that the large multinational supermarkets can merely invoice the Irish division at a low price to ensure that they are not breaking the law by selling below cost. 

Alcohol is used as a driver of footfall to increase the multiples market share of Grocery.

Supermarkets  are competing against each other, using alcohol ,to increase their individual share of this market

Tesco plc  is a global grocery and general merchandising retailer headquartered in Great Britain . It is the fourth-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues  and the second-largest measured by profits (after Wal-Mart). It has stores in 14 countries across Asia,Europe and North America  and is the grocery market leader in the UK (where it has a market share of around 30%), the Republic of Ireland,Malaysia and Thailand

If we could find a solution that is actually legal under E.U. law there is an appetite to deal with the matter.

Reward offered! 

ENDA KENNY REPLY

Ms Evelyn Jones
Chairperson,
National Off-Licence Association

7 March 2011

Dear Evelyn

Thank you for your correspondence to my Constituency Office in respect of the Off-Licence
sector. I genuinely appreciate you taking the time to contact me.
I have taken note of the points raised in your message and I will discuss them with the
relevant Fine Gael Spokespersons in the future. Once again, thank you for taking the
time to contact me.
Very best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
ENDA KENNY, TD
LEADER OF FINE GAEL

THE 100 DAYS WAR... you can stop wine prices from increasing by 20%

There will be an emergency budget within 100 days, possibly sooner, and a proposed wine duty increase is highly likely..as wine duty is seen as easy middle class revenue.

DO NOT  LET THIS HAPPEN!

Write to your local candidates ...see the previous post for content.

LETTER TO ELECTED CANDIDATES OF THE 31ST DAIL

Dear

I would like to congratulate you on your recent election to the 31^st Dáil Éireann.  As the various parties get ready to form a coalition, I would like to draw your attention to the following commitments in the Fine Gael and The Labour Party General Election manifestos.

• A “€1 increase in excise duty on a bottle of wine by 2014” (Fine Gael).
• A “modest increase in excise on wine” (Labour)

Any increase on wine will further impact on our sector that is already facing major challenges as a result of the economic downturn and deep recession, but it will also cost jobs, revenue to the State, and impact negatively on Irish tourism.

2,600 jobs have been lost in the independent off-licence sector in the last three years, with average turnover down between 25-50% as a consequence of the economic downturn, cross-border shopping and the introduction of earlier closing times.

·         A €1 excise increase will produce a 20% increase in the average selling price of wine through excise and VAT alone.

The €1 excise increase is estimated to result in €60m additional revenue - this is based on an assumption that there will be no decline in sales. Following the October 2008 wine excise increase the wine market fell by 10%.
 
This excise increase also coincided with a major increase in cross-border shopping of which the price differential between alcohol North and South was a major contributory factor.
 
As a consequence, the Government cut excise duty in December 2009 which saw a 15% increase in the wine market.  The majority of this increase comes from repatriation of business from across the border.  Nielsen data shows that wine volumes in Northern Ireland dropped by 10% in 2010 and Kantar Worldpanel Data further shows that cross-border shopping overall has stabilised.
 
Recent experience suggests that a €1 excise hike will simply encourage consumers to revert to purchasing wine and other products in Northern Ireland where prices will be significantly cheaper.  On this basis, it would be reasonable to assume that an excise increase will result in a 10% to 15% drop in in-state purchases.
 

·         A 15% drop in sales would neutralise any revenue gained by the State from the excise increase through lost excise and VAT revenues - the excise cost would be about €45m and VAT cost would be €15m.

The market decline will lead to further redundancies and unemployment throughout the industry leading to further unemployment.
 
Each job lost in the sector has a direct exchequer cost of €20,000
 
While we fully understand the difficult choices that face the incoming Government at this time, we believe that any increase in excise on wine will have a detrimental impact on consumer confidence, jobs, and tourism and will reverse much of the repatriation of cross-border revenue achieved over the last 12 months. 

We would greatly appreciate your help in this matter.

Yours sincerely,

ENDA KENNY, FINE GAEL

Enda Kenny, T.O.
Constituency Office,
Tucker Street,
Castlebar, Co Mayo.
Tel: 0949025600
Fax: 0949026554
E-mail: enda.kenny(a)oir.ie

22nd February, 2011

FINEGAEL

Dear Evelyn
Thank you very much for your recent correspondence which I
received. Enda is currently on the campaign trail but I will bring
your letter to his attention on his return to the office.
Thanks again for taking the time to write to me.
In can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact
me.
Very best wishes,
Yours sincerely, ENDA KENNY, T.D.
LEADER OF FINE GAEL 

Áine Collins Cork North West Fine Gael Candidate

Attention Evelyn Jones.
Chairperson

Dear Ms Jones.

Further to your letter of the 15th February please find my response below:

In relation to Point 1, the Fine Gael position is that under-cost selling by
the large retailers is wrong and especially harmful to young people or those
who may be influenced by strong marketing messages.

With regard to Point 2 we believe that you should be allowed to open until
12 midnight.

Point 3 and the issue around Section 16, Fine Gael will absolutely support
the completion of Section 16.  We as a party acknowledge the importance of
responsible retailing of alcohol.

Yours Sincerely,


Áine Collins
Millstreet Town,
County Cork.
087 2326945

Heide Schniete CORK

Dear Evelyn Jones.   Thank for your letter. We are sorry that we can't answer your question. We are a movement that will empower people and has no answers to give yet only when the people have voted for it. Please feel free to look up CPPC.ie We can see your problems and understand your concerns about the business. We are looking fore-ward to stay in contact and when you will come to meetings and make citizens of this country aware of your problem, to discuss it and that our elected candidates can take the vote from the people to the Dail Eireann to be heart there.   Thank you again.   yours sincerely   Heide Schniete

Paul Doonan Cork South West Candidate

Greetings Evelyn,

Thanks for your letter which I received today.

In my opinion the off licence trade was the victim of a badly thought out, knee jerk reaction, piece of legislation.

The new hours for opening times of off licences make no logical sense at all.

Your industry must however make more of a visible and concerted effort to ensure sales to minors or for minors does not occur.

If elected I would be happy to pursue getting section 16 of the liquor bill 2008 signed and enacted.

NewVision.ie Independent alliance candidates first priority is to separate bank debt and sovereign debt in order to avoid the threat of state bankruptcy

Please consider New Vision Independent candidates for your highest preferences.

Thanks and regards,

Paul Doonan

COLM MC GRATH, INDEPENDENT, DUBLIN NORTH WEST.

Dear Ms. Jones,
Just a short note to confirm my support for the signing of Section 16 of The Liquor Bill
of June 2008 banning the use of alcohol as a promotional tool in advertising.
If elected I will pursue this matter on your behalf and seek a review of the opening hours
which should coincide with pub opening hours.
Yours sincerely,
Colm McGrath
Independent.

EAMONN ZAIDAN, INDEPENDENT ,DUBLIN SOUTH.

Eamonn Zaidan
88 Whit8church Way
Ralhfamham
Dublin 18 
Ph: +353(0863355342

Emall:info@eamonnzaldan.ie 

Web: http://www.eamonnzaidan.ie/

22February 2011

 Dear Ms. Jones, 

Firstly let.me apologise for the delay in writing back to you but I have been extremely busy with
canvassing and catching up on correspondence.
In response to your letter dated 15 February 2011, this is my answer on this subject.

If elected, as an Independent, I would seek to reverse the Bill introduced by former Minister Dermot Aherne.I  was actually shocked to see this bill go through in the first place

All it achieved was a further attack on local businesses and their viability. In fact,
been taking steps backwards modem Ireland has in my opinion. 

I am aware that not everyone fits into the 9-5 slot with regards to working hours.

 In response to section 3 of your letter, I would advocate that the new Minister for Justice signs Section16 of the Liquor Bill of June 2008.

 I am answering your letter based on my own viewpoint and not for populist reasons

You can see what I am all about on  my website  www.eamonnzaidan.ie

Kind regards

Eamonn

BRENDAN SMITH, FIANNA FAIL T.D, CAVAN, MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

Dear Evelyn,

I received your recent letter and I note the contents.

Yours sincerely 

BRENDAN SMITH T.D.
MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

Benjamin Ashu Ashu-Arrah, AMRSC. Independent Candidate ,CorkNorth-Central

Benjamin Ashu Ashu-Arrah,
Independent Candidate
Apt 6, 12 Charlemont T' ce,
Wellington Road, Cork.

Dear Evelyn,
Thanks for your letter dated 15 February 2011 on behalf  of  the members of the National
Off-Licence Association highlighting various issues. 

I will be having a debate with other candidatesof CorkNorth-Central on the 21st of this month with Cork FM 96, which will be broadcast on Wednesday at 10 am.

I will be asking any of them irrespective of any political party that when elected,· 

.They must pressure the government in power to extend off-licence opening time· to 11.30 pm.

Secondly, there should be legislation preventing supermarket from selling alcohol· below the market price .
Thirdly Section 16 of the Liquor Bill of June 2008 should be signed and enacted without
 any-delay.
I believed that any thing that can help prevent further job loss and creation of new ones
should be encourage, as this is the only way we can get out of recession.

Benjamin Ashu Ashu-Arrah, AMRSC.

MICHAEL RING . MAYO T.D, FINE GAEL. Spokesperson on Social Protection

Dear Evelyn,
Thank you very much for your letter in relation to the problems with the Off Licence.
I will revert to you as soon as possible.
With kind regards,
MICHAEL RING T.D.
Spokesperson on Social Protection

Cllr. Sean Canney Claretuam, Tuam, Co. Galway

Dear Sirs,
 I acknowledge receipt of your letter and note its contents.If elected to the Dail I confirm that I will arrange to meet you to discuss the issues which you have raised.

Yours faithfully, 

Cllr. Sean Canney
Claretuam, 

Tuam,

Co. Galway

PETER KELLY, LONGFORD TD, FIANNA FAIL

Peter Kelly TDConstituency
Dail Eireann: Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin Office: Dublin Road, Longford, Co. Longford. Te/:(043)334 5070 Fax:(043)334 1996 Emai/:peter.kelly@oireachtas.ie2. Te/:(01)6183913 Fax:(01)6184792 Mobi/e:(087)2529650 Web:www.peterkelly.ie




 19 February 2011


Dear Evelyn,
Many thanks for your recent letter.
If elected I will commit to getting Section 16 signed in. I am a former member of the
V.F.!. and Off Licence owner.
Sincerely,
Peter Kelly

HOW TO END BELOW COST SELLING?

The problem with trying to end below cost selling is coming up with an  mechanism that will actually work.

 A mechanism banning sales below total duty and vat will not work as on a €7 euro btl of wine this only comes to €3.20.

 A mechanism banning sales below  invoice price will just mean that the large multinational supermarkets can merely invoice the Irish division at a low price to ensure that they are not breaking the law by selling below cost. 

Alcohol is used as a driver of footfall to increase the multiples market share of Grocery.

Supermarkets  are competing against each other, using alcohol ,to increase their individual share of this market

Tesco plc  is a global grocery and general merchandising retailer headquartered in Great Britain . It is the fourth-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues  and the second-largest measured by profits (after Wal-Mart). It has stores in 14 countries across Asia,Europe and North America  and is the grocery market leader in the UK (where it has a market share of around 30%), the Republic of Ireland,Malaysia and Thailand

If we could find a solution that is actually legal under E.U. law there is an appetite to deal with the matter.

Reward offered! 

Raymond Whitehead (Dublin South) Independent

Raymond Whitehead (Dublin South) running as an independent – fully supports small businesses and family businesses.He undertakes to lobby for the 3 points mentioned in the letter.

www.directdemocracy.ie

LABOUR REPLY..Ita McAuliffe General Secretary

Evelyn Jones, Chairperson, NOFFLA

 

Dear Ms Jones,

Thank you for your letter concerning the off-licence trade.

The Labour Party Manifesto states that "the huge increase in the number of outlets supplying alcohol was a serious mistake, while the more recent restrictions on opening hours have had little discernible impact on teen drinking. Labour will take action to further restrict sales to under-age persons, notably in off-licence outlets.  We will also work at EU level to develop a European-wide agreement to phase out, or substantially reduce, alcohol-related sponsorship of sporting events."

I attach a copy of Labour's policy paper on SMEs and the Retail Sector.

Yours sincerely,

Ita McAuliffe

General Secretary

Cllr Tony McLoughlin, FineGael, Sligo

Dear Evelyn

Thank you for letter outlining the serious issues which concern your members of the National Off-Licence Association.  I hope the following will is of help to you and  and your committee.

Fine Gael will :

1     Outlaw  below cost selling of alcohol in  supermarkets.

2  Recognise the difficulties for publicans/Off Licences  with the prohibition of off sales          after 10pm.

3 Change the prohibited hours for children in public houses when food is served.

4 We are in favour of the responsible retailing  of alcohol.

Cllr Tony McLoughlin FG
Bank Building
O'Connell Street
Sligo

071919119290/0879698997

Main Street
Manorhamilton
Co Leitrim

David Bradley, Independent Christian candidate in Co. Louth.

-----Original message-----

From: DBradley@eircom.ie
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2011 10:04:26 +0000
To: info@noffla.ie
Subject: To: Ms. Evelyn Jones, please


Dear Mrs. Jones,

Thank you very much indeed for your enquiry of 15 February, 2011. My
name is David Bradley and I am standing as an Independent Christian
candidate in Co. Louth. While I am greatly concerned about specific
issues around justice, fairness to the poor, the oppressed, the
downtrodden, the exploited, the low paid workers, the disabled, elderly
and infirm etc., my message in this election campaign is to speak openly
about the Gospel of Salvation, to point people and politicians to Jesus.
The promises in God's Holy Word the Bible are the ones we can believe,
not the promises of human beings. What I am urging both the electorate
and the incoming politicians to do is to involve God in all their
decision making, to seek His guidance in everything they do. If the
outgoing government had done this we would not be in our current mess -
which, as we can see, is deteriorating further each day. I am seeking
votes that I might have as strong a voice as possible to convey this
message to the incoming elected government to whom I will be quoting
from Wisdom Chapter 6, verse 3: 'for sovereignty is given to you by the
Lord and power by the Most High, who will himself probe your acts and
scrutinise your intention' and 'But seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you'
(Matthew 6:33).

Please be assured of my commitment, if elected, to getting Section 16
signed in, thereby acknowledging the importance of the responsible
retailing of alcohol.

I am attaching my election flyer.

Yours sincerely,

David  Bradley,
Independent Candidate,
Louth.

davo101@jesusanswers.com


***************************************************************

It appears that Fine Gael policy is to increase Duty when only 14 months ago Fianna Fail were forced to reduce the previous year's Duty increase, due to a huge drop in revenue and an increase in cross - border shopping.

Sam Locke, Non-party, North Kerry-West Limerick

Reply from Sam Locke, Non-party, North Kerry-West Limerick.  He supports NOffLA and understands the difficulty off-licences are in as a result of shorter trading hours and that people should have the opportunity to purchase alcohol later, particularly those who do not work 9-5 jobs.  He would support reverting to previous opening hours to protect off-licences and allow family owned businesses to survive.

Mr Noonan hit out at Labour over their criticism of Fine Gael Wine Duty Increase

Mr Noonan(Fine Gael) hit out at Labour after the party ran Tesco-style national newspaper adverts mocking Fine Gael's economic policies, with the slogan 'Fine Gael -- Every Little Hurts'.
Derisory
He added: "To be taking ads in the national papers, deploring the fact that the big bad wolves in Fine Gael are going to put an extra euro on a bottle of wine and destroy your standard of living seems to me to be derisory.
"I can't understand how the Labour Party have got themselves into a position where they are criticising Fine Gael for putting a euro on a bottle of wine," he added.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/fg-warns-of-dreadful-time-as-tax-war-rages-2546303.html

PETER MATTHEWS FINE GAEL DUBLIN SOUTH

 Peter Matthews  supports the intelligent selling of alcohol and wanted to know if there was anything else in Section 16 he should know about that he was wary of supporting something he didn’t know a lot about.He was unable to email his response as he is very busy working on the election but  was kind enough to ring us.

Matthew Parker (Caseys, Centra, Roscommon)

It is great to get  feedback on the election  and of the different stances each party employs. It would be absolutely stupid if the future government were to  implement extra taxes on wine, which then would seriously affect trade especially with existing taxes already affecting peoples weekly take home pay. Yours sincerely Matthew Parker (Caseys, Centra, Roscommon) NoffLa Member

ATT: LABOUR PARTY :WINE EXCISE DUTY INCREASE WILL DISTROY OFF LICENCE EMPLOYMENT

NOffLA has been in existence for over 17 years now, and represents independent off-licence owners in Ireland, and currently represent over 330 members. The association works with its members to promote the responsible sale, marketing and consumption of alcohol, and to share best practice with the entire trade.

At present we are reviewing election manifestos as they are published and following up with the parties in question.

One issue of particular concern in your manifesto is the proposed excise duty increase on wine .. This would be a disaster for cross border trade in particular, as it would make the average bottle of wine substantially more expensive. We cannot afford for this to happen. With the erosion of our beer and spirit market share due to supermarkets using them as loss leaders, it is vital that we stay competitive for wine.

The Labour Manifesto States:

“Labour is proposing a 1% increase in the standard rate of VAT that will raise €310 million in a full year. Labour's proposals include modest increases in excise on wine and cigarettes. Labour will prioritise action to reduce losses to the Exchequer from smuggling through stronger revenue enforcement".

PLEASE  ELABORATE ON” MODEST” AS OUR MEMBERS WOULD NOT BE IN FAVOUR OF THIS.

1. There is a misleading perception that the off-licence trade is ‘doing well’ and that the shift to home consumption has been to the benefit of local off-licences.  This is not the case.

• Our business has been decimated by the large retail groups who use the irresponsible promotion and sale of cheap alcohol as a driver of footfall into their shops.
• These retail giants are making the survival of many small, often family owned, off-licence shops impossible.
• Soon we will have no local shops or businesses left in our area whatsoever.

What will you do about this?

2. The reduction in off-licence trading hours to 10 pm has impacted most on the independent off-licence.

• We need to open later to sustain and remain in business.
• We require a return to the original hours of trading in order that we can look after our local customer (and visiting tourist) that should have the right to purchase alcohol off-sales within pub opening hours.
• Not everyone works 9 to 5.  Many people finish work at 10pm and we are closed.
• If we are prepared to put in more hours in order to ensure the survival of our business why can’t we?

What is the logic in differentiating between on and off-trade?

Why can we not operate pub hours?

3. The Liquor Bill of June 2008 has an important Section that the then Minister for Justice, Dermot Ahern, did not sign in.  Section 16 bans the use of alcohol as a promotional tool in advertising. It only requires the signature of the new Minister for Justice to enact this measure.  The newspapers are awash with volume deals of alcohol as the large retailers compete for their grocery market share at our expense.

If elected to government will you commit to getting Section 16 signed in and thereby acknowledge the importance of the responsible retailing of alcohol?

We look forward to your response by return in order that we can advise the members of your position.

Yours sincerely,

EVELYN JONES

Chairperson

Contact Details

Block D, Unit 6
Nutgrove Office Park
Rathfarnham
Dublin 14
Ireland
Tel +353 1 296 2326   
Fax +353 1 296 2451

 

Email evelyn@noffla.ie

ATTENTION FINE GAEL .....EXCISE DUTY INCREASE NOT ACCEPTABLE

NOffLA has been in existence for over 17 years now, and represents independent off-licence owners in Ireland, and currently represent over 330 members. The association works with its members to promote the responsible sale, marketing and consumption of alcohol, and to share best practice with the entire trade.

At present we are reviewing election manifestos as they are published and following up with the parties in question.

One issue of particular concern in your manifesto is the proposed excise duty increase on wine duty. This would be a disaster for cross border trade in particular, as it would make the average bottle of wine substantially more expensive. We cannot afford for this to happen. With the erosion of our beer and spirit market share due to supermarkets using them as loss leaders, it is vital that we stay competitive for wine.

Fine Gael Manifesto

Progressive Measures to Increase Taxation on Import-Intensive Consumption

a) Increases in standard rate of VAT to 22% in 2012 and 23% in 2013

b) €1 increase in excise duty on a bottle of wine by 2014

c) Extra VAT yield from banning below cost selling of alcohol

Please elaborate on points a) and c) as I would like to notify our membership in detail. They have already been advised to raise the matter with their local candidates

1. There is a misleading perception that the off-licence trade is ‘doing well’ and that the shift to home consumption has been to the benefit of local off-licences.  This is not the case.

• Our business has been decimated by the large retail groups who use the irresponsible promotion and sale of cheap alcohol as a driver of footfall into their shops.
• These retail giants are making the survival of many small, often family owned, off-licence shops impossible.
• Soon we will have no local shops or businesses left in our area whatsoever.

What will you do about this?

2. The reduction in off-licence trading hours to 10 pm has impacted most on the independent off-licence.

• We need to open later to sustain and remain in business.
• We require a return to the original hours of trading in order that we can look after our local customer (and visiting tourist) that should have the right to purchase alcohol off-sales within pub opening hours.
• Not everyone works 9 to 5.  Many people finish work at 10pm and we are closed.
• If we are prepared to put in more hours in order to ensure the survival of our business why can’t we?

What is the logic in differentiating between on and off-trade?

Why can we not operate pub hours?

3. The Liquor Bill of June 2008 has an important Section that the then Minister for Justice, Dermot Ahern, did not sign in.  Section 16 bans the use of alcohol as a promotional tool in advertising. It only requires the signature of the new Minister for Justice to enact this measure.  The newspapers are awash with volume deals of alcohol as the large retailers compete for their grocery market share at our expense.

If elected to government will you commit to getting Section 16 signed in and thereby acknowledge the importance of the responsible retailing of alcohol?

We look forward to your response by return in order that we can advise the members of your position.

Yours sincerely,

EVELYN JONES

Chairperson

Contact Details

Block D, Unit 6
Nutgrove Office Park
Rathfarnham
Dublin 14
Ireland
Tel +353 1 296 2326   
Fax +353 1 296 2451

 

Email evelyn@noffla.ie