FG senators threatening to bury Booze Bill (again)

FINE Gael senators are planning to scupper attempts by Simon Harris to reintroduce legislation restricting the sale of alcohol in small shops.

The original proposal, from Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, was filibustered to death by senators last year. Now, in the wake of the Health Minister’s declaration that the Bill will be reintroduced and passed by Halloween, Fine Gael senators have told Mr Harris they will ‘talk it back into the political graveyard again’.

Last year’s proposals for the ‘structural separation’ of alcohol in shops was marked by a series of farcical debates about ‘curtained areas’ and ‘booze burquas’. Ms Corcoran Kennedy’s failure to get the legislation passed is believed to have contributed to her status as the only female minister to lose her job.

The decision of Mr Harris to re-engage in the politically dangerous task of trying to steer the Bill through has secured scant support from the party. One Fine Gael senator, Tim Lombard, warned: ‘We intend to stand by the small shopkeeper. We have shot down this Bill once and will do it again if necessary.’

Mr Harris has said the Public Health Alcohol Bill must ‘no longer be blocked due to Trojan horse concerns over the financial damage its sale and advertising restrictions could have on small shops’.

The Bill will introduce minimum alcohol pricing and make it illegal for shops to sell and promote alcohol within view of the general public. Opponents of the Bill, however, warned the minister that they will stand by the rural shopkeepers.

An emboldened Mr Harris warned any putative rebels that his Bill will not be watered down. However senators insisted they would not back down, saying: ‘Simon and Leo should remember all the backbenchers may have or want government jobs. We don’t.’

Mr Lombard added: ‘We are independent in the performance of our duties and we will not support bad legislation.’