Madam, - Dr Joseph Barry (August 7th) is wrong in stating that off-licences regard alcohol abuse in public places as "not our problem" and that off-licences have not responded to efforts to address this societal problem.
On the contrary, independent specialist off-licences, some 330 of which are representedby the National Off-Licence Association, take this issue very seriously and for many years have been to the forefront in introducing initiatives to deal with underage drinking and alcohol abuse. Indeed, as a conditionof joining our association members are required to undertake staff training and to complete a responsible trading programme (known as the "Responsible Trading in the Community" accreditation scheme) aimed at tackling unlawful and undesirable purchasing of alcohol. In order to maintain this accreditation, members are subject to "spot checks" and must commit to setting the highest standards of responsible retailing.
Unfortunately, as a result of the liberalising of alcohol sales under the current Government, alcohol is much more widely available in a variety of large multiples, service points and convenience outlets, way beyond the scope of what was traditionally known as the "off-licence". If these retailers were to follow the example being set by specialist off-licences it would be a step in the right direction. However, as alcohol represents only a small percentage of the product offering of many of these outlets, it is unlikely that they always apply the vigilance required.
Two further issues highlighted by the off-licence sector over many years and which have not been responded to by Government are the on-going problems associated with the absence of a proper national age card andlegislation to tackle secondary purchasing of alcohol by adults on behalf of under-age persons.
We hope that the Government, local authorities, educators andparents will also become much more pro-active in addressing this serious matter. - Yours, etc,
JIM McCABE, Chairman, National Off-Licence Association, Sandford Road, Dublin 6.