The legal requirement that alcoholic drink containers must bear labels showing where they were sold would not be activated until consultations had taken place with the licensed trade on how it could be best implemented, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr O'Donoghue, assured members.
He was responding to the concerns voiced by some senators about the wisdom of proceeding with the measure, which is intended to assist the authorities in combating the sale of alcohol to minors.
Under the Intoxicating Liquor Bill, which was passed by the House, the ownership and address of a licensed premises must be shown on a label affixed to any container in which intoxicating liquor is sold for consumption off the premises.
Mr Feargal Quinn (Ind) was among those who queried whether this was the right approach. It would not be enforceable unless they made it so, he cautioned.
Responding to the debate, the Minister said the main provisions of the Bill would come into effect next Thursday.
