TOPIC:

"Saruman":324s433k wrote: Advocate General aside (not exactly political), out of curiosity, has any politician ever suggested such a thing? It was would be seen as political suicide by most, although I wonder if it actually would be?[/quote:324s433k]

They are the legal advisers for the commission, so Ireland would want a good reason/need to disregard their advice

"oblivious":3c29lbli wrote: They are the legal advisers for the commission, so Ireland would want a good reason/need to disregard their advice[/quote:3c29lbli]

That was in response to.

"andrew":3c29lbli wrote: It's strange that the Yvesbot didn't suggest lowering taxes as a possible method of delivering the desired public health benefits.[/quote:3c29lbli]

By the way, I merged the topic from the Beoir member forum as there were two active topics on the same subject.

This was the start of it.[/url:esmhrvs4]

"Saruman":1xuz09gk wrote:

"Tube":1xuz09gk wrote:

"Saruman":1xuz09gk wrote: 3. Bring back the groceries order, at least for alcohol.

Option 3 is my preference. Below cost selling is hurting independent off-licences[/quote:1xuz09gk]

Two wrongs don't make a right though, and protectionism is always wrong.[/quote:1xuz09gk]

<!-- s:o --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_surprised.gif" alt="" title="Surprised" /><!-- s:o -->
I would disagree that protectionism is always wrong. The microbrewery 50% duty rebate is a form of protectionism. Are you suggesting that this is wrong and should be abolished?[/quote:1xuz09gk]
No straw man arguments please!

The type of people who are buying slabs of Heino from Tesco are probably not the same people who are buying craft beer from indy offies.

Bear in mind the goal of this is to reduce consumption, not to boost business for small offies.

Craft beer is irrelevant to the discussion.

Independent offies make their money on bread and butter items like slabs of heino.

Your point on all forms of protectionism being wrong was incredibly unclear so I had to take it at face value.

Perhaps you could clarify exactly what you meant? Then we can avoid confusion and get back on track. <!-- s:P --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_razz.gif" alt="" title="Razz" /><!-- s:P -->

The point of this proposed Bill is to reduce consumption. Protectionism distorts the market, usually for the benefit of a one vested interest over another. Off-licences being forced to close at 10pm benefited publicans, at the expense of consumers and offies.

Don't distort the market, it will eventually go wrong for everyone except that one vested interest who stands to gain.