Responsible Retailing of Alcohol Ireland Limited (RRAI)

Lobbying Organisation Responsible Retailing of Alcohol Ireland Limited (RRAI)

Date published 18 Sep, 2020

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 May, 2020 to 31 Aug, 2020

Specific Details Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 Section 22

Intended results The RRAI seeking to understand the administrative approach to be followed by the Environmental Health Service when determining compliance with the standards set out in Section 22 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 as retailers transition to these new requirements.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Mr. Padraic White, Independent Chairperson, Responsiible Retailing of Alcohol Ireland (RRAI)

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (2-5)

Letters sent by the RRAI to Minister for Health Simon Harris TD on 01 May, 27 May and 03 June. The letters reiterated the commitment of RRAI members to implement the requirements set out in Section 22 of the PHAA in a verifiable and credible manner cognisant of the practical challenges posed by the COVID 19 emergency. The letters sought to understand in practical terms what adminsitraive approach would be followed by the EHS when determining compliance with the standards set out in Section 22 of the PHAA 2018 as retailers transition to these new requirements. Of principal concern was how access and eggress solutions into and out of the separated alcohol selling area, could be practically implemented by retailers while complying with the requirements set out in Option A of Section 22. The legslation is silent on this matter.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Simon Harris Minister (Department of Health)