Responsible Retailing of Alcohol Ireland Limited (RRAI)

Lobbying Organisation Responsible Retailing of Alcohol Ireland Limited (RRAI)

Date published 20 Jan, 2017

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Sep, 2016 to 31 Dec, 2016

Specific Details Section 20 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015

Intended results Develop understanding amongst public policy stakeholders on key aspects of the Bill that the RRAI support, namely the segregation of alcohol products in grocery stores. In addition the RRAI seeks to highlight those elements in the Bill the RRAI have concerns with particularly those relating to its visibility ban provisions where the RRAI seeks reasonable and workable amendments.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Mr Padraic White, Independent Chairperson, Responsible Retailing of Alcohol in 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? Yes

What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners? In October 2016 the Board of the RRAI agreed to conduct a nationwide grassroots communication campaign throughout its 2,616 member stores. The RRAI gave specific instruction to member stores to engage with as many Oireachtas members as possible on the RRAI position with regard to Section 20 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. The RRAI issued the following three documents to support members in this grassroots communication activity. Firstly the RRAI Compliance Report for the year which sets out the level of compliance by members with its Code as measured by a national independent audit. Secondly a document laying out the proposed RRAI amendments to Section 20 of the Bill. Finally an Information Brochure visually setting out those aspects of the Bill that the RRAI support, namely the physical segregation of alcohol from grocery products and those elements where the RRAI seek amendments on particularly concerning the total visibility ban envisaged in grocery stores.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Letter All Oireachtas Members Note sent to all Oireachtas members on 20 October 2016 containing copies of the 8th RRAI Annual Compliance Report and a document laying out proposed RRAI amendments to the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. Note sent to all Oireachtas members on 24 October clarifying those elements within Section 20 of the Bill that the RRAI supported (separation of alcohol) and those elements within the Bill the RRAI had serious concerns with (total visibility ban). An Information Brochure was sent to all Oireachtas members on 18 November which sought to visually represent those elements within the Bill that the RRAI supported, namely the physical separation of alcohol products and the invisibility of alcohol behind manned customer service desks. It also illustrated those elements the RRAI had serious concerns with particularly regarding the total visibility ban envisaged. The documents sought to inform Oireachtas members on the RRAI stance toward the Bill and propose reasonable and workable amendments.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (1)

Meeting between Minister Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD, officials from the Department of Health and a delegation representing the RRAI led by its Independent Chairperson Mr. Padraic White on 07 September 2016. The purpose of the discussion was to highlight those elements within Section 20 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill which the RRAI supported (separation principle) and to set out those elements it had serious concerns with (visibility, timelines, legal ambiguity)

Letter (1)

Letter sent on 30 September 2016, to the Minister for Health Promotion, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD containing a copy of the 8th RRAI Annual Compliance Report with regard to the operation of Code of Practice on the display and sale of alcohol in mixed trading premises. This was accompanied with a document laying out proposed RRAI amendments to Section 20 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill.

Meeting (1)

Discussion between the Independent Chairperson of the RRAI Mr. Padraic White and Senator Keith Swanick on 26 October 2016. The purpose of the discussion was to inform Senator Swanick of the RRAI position regarding Section 20 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill.

Meeting (1)

Discussion between the Independent Chairperson of the RRAI Mr. Padraic White and the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross TD on 12 November 2016. The purpose of the discussion was to inform Minister Ross of the RRAI position regarding Section 20 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill.

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.

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy Minister of State (Department of Health)

Keith Swanick Senator (Seanad)

Shane Ross Minister (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)