Drinks industry representatives extensively lobbied Government Ministers, TDs and Senators about controversial legislation to deal with Ireland’s alcohol crisis, according to the latest figures from the lobbying register. It is estimated the drinks sector, led by Ibec’s umbrella group the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI), had meetings with 14 Government Ministers and Ministers of State and 10 special advisers about the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. The drinks and retail sector has already secured concessions on the obligation to separate alcohol from other products. In a business interview with The Irish Times last year, Ms Callan said she wanted the drinks industry to be allowed into the policymaking tent. Health advocates who lobbied for the full implementation of the Bill also include children’s charity Barnardo’s, the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, the Donegal-based Alcohol Forum, the Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society.

Source: The Irish Times January 22, 2018 02:26 UTC