The National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) today (7 June) disputed Senator John Crown’s description of alcohol vendors as “drug dealers” made on RTÉ’s Today with Pat Kenny radio show.

NOffLA’s Chairperson, Evelyn Jones said: “NOffLA is dismayed and deeply frustrated to hear Senator John Crown’s comments that the sellers of alcohol, including independent off-licences, are ‘drug dealers’. This is an inaccurate and careless characterisation that NOffLA refutes in the strongest possible manner because the sale of alcohol is legal in Ireland.

 “As the sale of  alcohol  is legal  and permitted by way of  government licence  it is the responsibility of all members of the Oireachtas, including the Senator, to put an adequate legal framework around its  sale. NOffLA has always advocated, and will always advocate for the highest retail standards to be applied to the sale of alcohol. For example, all of NOffLA’s members must train their staff using NOffLA’s Responsible Trading Certificate (RTC) which ensures that independent off-licence employees are highly trained in retailing alcohol in the most responsible manner possible.

 “Generalisations and inaccurate throwaway comments illustrate a complete lack of respect for those who work very hard to retail alcohol in a responsible manner in the absence of any action from government. 

“NOffLA has consistently called on the government to regulate the alcohol retail sector. If this is not done immediately, Ireland’s irresponsible relationship with alcohol will continue which will be to the detriment of society,” said Jones.