a in ireland ltd, rrai manuals/rrai_training_manual (2).pdf · responsible retailing of alcohol in...

RESPONSIBLE RETAILING OF ALCOHOL IN IRELAND LTD

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F ALCOHOL IN IRELAN D

RESPONSIBLE RETAILING

Responsible Retailing

of alcohol in iReland ltd, RRai

stoRe ManageMent & senioR staff tRaining pRogRaMMe foR the VoluntaRy code of pRactice

on the display and sale of alcohol pRoducts in Mixed tRade pReMises

2010

NOTE: Please note that this manual may be updated from time-to-time and will require to be revised in the event of new legislation.

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s t o R e M a n a g e M e n t & s e n i o R s t a f f tR a i n i n g p R o g R a M M e 2 0 1 0

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CONTENTS

intRoduction 5

the VoluntaRy code of pRactice 6

the incident book 6

custoMeR coMplaints 7

Who can sell alcohol? 7

Who can buy alcohol? 8

hoW Must alcohol be displayed foR sale? 8

WheRe and When can alcohol be sold? 8

adVeRtising of alcohol 9

penalties foR the sale of alcohol to undeRage peRsons 9

pRoof of age 10

pRactical guidelines to pReVent undeRage sales 10

supplying alcohol to people Who aRe dRunk 11

disoRdeRly conduct 12

consuMption of alcohol Within 100 MetRes of the shop 13

Refusal of seRVice 13

Refusal of a sale 14

the equal status act, 2000 15

poWeRs of an gaRda síochána to coMe into the shop 15

Was youR tRaining successful? 16

appENdix ONE: 17

alcohol sales questionnaiRe 17

ansWeRs to questionnaiRe 19

appENdix TwO: 20

declaRation of staff MeMbeR 20

appENdix ThrEE: 21

explanatoRy guidelines undeRpinning the code 21

appENdix fOur: 24

fRont-line staff tRaining Manual 25

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intRoduction

Thistrainingprogrammehasbeencreatedforusebystaffworkinginamixedtradingpremises.Amixedtradingpremisesisapremiseswhichsellsalcoholinadditiontoothergoodse.g.asupermarket,conveniencestoreorpetrolfillingstationwhichmaysellhotandcoldfood,newspapers,petroletcinadditiontosellingalcohol(includingwine,beerandspirits)tothepublic.Thepurposeofthisprogrammeistwofold:

(i) tofacilitatethetrainingofstaffintheresponsibleretailingofalcohol,and

(ii) asareferencematerialforstafftorefertoduringthecourseoftheiremployment.

Thisdocumentsetsoutandexplainsthestatutoryandnon-statutoryobligationsonanypersonwhoisdirectlyinvolvedinthesaleofalcoholtothepublicwithintheretailtrade.Allpersonsworkinginamixedtradingpremiseswhoareinapositiontosellalcoholareobligedtoactresponsiblywhenservingcustomersandmusttakeeveryprecautiontoensurethatcustomersundertheageof18ordrunkenpersonsarenotservedalcohol.Therearesignificantpenaltieswhichmaybeimposedonanyretailerwhoisfoundtohavesoldalcoholincontraventionoftherelevantlegislation.AfailuretocomplywiththeCodeofPracticeontheDisplayandSaleofAlcoholProductsinMixedTradingPremises(“TheCodeofPractice”)mayresultindifficultsaleconditionsbeingimposedonthemixedtradesectionoftheretailindustry.Astaffmemberemployedinamixedtradingpremiseswhosellsalcoholincontraventionofthistrainingprogrammemayalsofacedisciplinaryactionfromtheiremployer.

the statutoRy and non statutoRy obligations

ThistrainingprogrammehasbeencreatedwithreferencetotheLicensingActs1833-2008andinaccordancewiththeRRAICodeofPracticeontheDisplayandSaleofAlcoholProductsinMixedTradingPremisesandtheRRAICodeExplanatoryGuidelines.

hoW to use this Manual

Itisrecommendedthatstaffreceiveappropriateandcomprehensivetrainingintheresponsibleretailingofalcoholinadvanceofcommencingworkinamixedtradingpremises.Eachemployerorthepersonresponsiblefortrainingstaffmembersshouldgothroughthisbookletwitheachmemberofstaffandensurethatthestaffmemberunderstandseachprovisioncontainedinthisdocument.Thestaffmembershouldthenbegivenanopportunityandareasonableamountoftimetoreadthisbookletandfamiliarisethemselvescomprehensivelywithitscontents.Againanopportunityshouldbeaffordedtothestaffmembertoaskanyquestionswhichtheymayhaveregardingtheresponsibleretailingofalcohol.Thereisaquestionnaireattheendofthisbookletandallrelevantstaffmemberswhoreceivethistrainingshouldbeinapositiontoanswerthisentirequestionnairecorrectly.Staffshouldalsoconfirmthattheyhavereceivedandfullyunderstandalltrainingbysigningthedeclarationatappendixtwo.Itisalsorecommendedthatacopyofthisbookletisprovidedtoeachappropriatestaffmemberandthatafurthercopyisavailableforperusalbyanystaffmemberwithinthestore.

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the VoluntaRy code of pRactice intRoduced in JanuaRy 2009ACodeofPracticewasdrawnupbythemixedtradesectionoftheretailindustryinconsultationwiththeDepartmentofJustice,EqualityandLawReformandtheDepartmentofHealthandChildrenforthedisplayandsaleofalcohol.ThemainprinciplebehindtheCodeofPracticeisthatalcoholisnotanordinaryhouseholdproductandthatitmustbesoldinawaywhichrecognisesthisprinciplegivenitspotentialtocauseharmtotheuserandothers.

TheCodeprovidesforanindependentauditsystemtooverseecomplianceandrequiresanannualreportoncompliancelevelstotheMinisterofJustice,EqualityandLawReform.

AlaminatedcopyoftheCodeofPracticemustbedisplayedclearlyinaprominentpositionintheshop,inclearsightofeverycustomerwhovisitsthestore.ThenameandcontactdetailsofthelicenceholderandthecontactdetailsfortheRRAImustbeincludedinthecopyoftheCodeondisplay.

ItisimperativethatyoufamiliariseyourselfwiththecontentsoftheGuidetotheCodeofPracticeappendixedtothismanualandensurethatthepremisesisoperatinginaccordancewithit.AnycustomercomplaintsconcerningtheCodemustbereportedtoyouremployerimmediatelysoappropriateactionmaybetaken.

IftheMinisterforJusticeEquality&LawReformisoftheviewthatcompliancelevelswiththeCodearepoor,havingreceivedtheresultsoftheannualaudit,revisedarrangements(includingstatutoryprovisions)forthesaleanddisplayofalcoholproductswillbesignedintoLawbyhim.

the incident book

Yourshophasanincidentbookinwhichyoushouldrecordanythingoutoftheordinarythatmayhaveoccurredduringyourshift,forexampleunderagepersonstryingtobuyalcohol,adrunkenpersontryingtobuyalcohol,avisitfromtheAnGardaSíochána(statereasonforvisit)orapotentialequalstatusincident.Ifyouareunsureastowherethisincidentbookislocated,askyouremployerormanager.

Ifanyincidentoccursduringyourshiftrecordthedateandtimeanddetailsoftheincidentandbringthistotheattentionofyourmanager/employerattheearliestopportunity.EntriesintheincidentbookmaybeimportantforCourtevidence.

Forexample,ifapersonwhoisdrunkattemptstobuyalcoholinthestoreandserviceisrefused,thenthisshouldberecordedintheIncidentBook.Youshouldmakeanoteofthedateandtimeoftheincident,thereasonservicewasrefused,thenamesofotherstaffmembersorwitnesseswhowerepresentintheshopatthetimeoftheincident,adescriptionofthepersonwhotriedtobuyalcoholandanoteoftheconversationwiththepersonwhenthesalewasrefused.

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custoMeR coMplaints

UndertheCodeofPracticereferredtoabove,customersarepermittedtolodgecomplaintsifitappearsthattheCodeisnotbeingcompliedwithwithinthestore.IfacustomerhasacomplaintabouttheimplementationoftheCodeofPracticeorthesaleordisplayofalcoholinyourshop,thefollowingprocedureshouldbefollowed:

1. Acknowledgethecomplaintandcallyourstoremanageroremployersothattheymaydealwiththecomplaintandtrytoresolvetheissueatstorelevel.

2. Ifnomanagerisavailable,takethecustomersdetailsanddetailsofthecomplaintsothatyoumaypassthisinformationtoyourmanager/employerwhentheyreturn.

3. Writedownalldetailsofthecomplaintandthecustomer’sdetailsintheincidentbook.

YoushouldnotethatcustomershavearighttotaketheircomplaintfurthertotheRRAI.Asstatedabove,acopyoftheCodemustbeondisplayprominentlyintheshop.ThenameandcontactdetailsofthelicenceholdermustbecontainedinthecopyoftheCodeondisplayandthecontactdetailsfortheRRAImustalsobeincluded.

Who can sell alcohol?Only persons aged 18 years or overmaysellalcoholotherwiseacriminaloffencewillbecommitted.

Ifyouareunder18youmaycarryoutgeneraldutiesintheshopormaymakenonliquorsalesonly.

PersonsemployedineitheraSupermarket,ConvenienceStoreorPetrolStationwhoareunder18yearsofage,maynotunderanycircumstancesgobehindthecountertoserveacustomeralcohol.

Ifyouareunder18andyouareoperatinganonalcoholpaymentregisteroracustomerpresentsalcoholduringthetransactionyoumust:

• CalltheManageroramemberofstaffwhois18orover.

• Youmayscannonalcoholicitemswhileyouarewaiting.

• Yourmanagerorstaffmemberover18willscanthealcoholicitemsandwillcompletethetransactionandtakethepayment–youmustnotscanthealcoholandcompletethetransaction.

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Who can buy alcohol?Onlypersonsaged18yearsorovermaypurchasealcohol.

Intheeventofaconvictionforthesaleofalcoholtoapersonunder18,theCourtmustimposeatemporaryclosureorderonthepremises.

hoW Must alcohol be displayed foR sale?Alcoholproductsmust,asfaraspossible,bedisplayedonlyinapartofthepremisesthroughwhichcustomersdonothavetopassinordertogainaccesstootherbeveragesorfood.Alcoholproductsmustbedisplayed“asfaraspossible”awayfromotherfoodandbeverageproducts.

AlthoughtheCodeofPracticedoesnotrequireaphysicalwallorbarrierseparatingfoodandalcohol,cross-merchandisingofalcoholandfoodisstrictlyforbidden.Thismeansthatalcoholcannotbedisplayedonshelvingetc.whichalsoholdotherfoodandbeverageitems.

Thedisplayofalcoholproductsbehindthecounterispermittedifthisisintheinterestofsecurity.However,alcoholcannotbedisplayedinthewindowsofthestore.

WheRe and When can alcohol be sold?Thesaleofalcoholproductsisonlypermittedduringthefollowingtimes:

• Between10.30amand10.00pmonMondaytoSaturday,and

• Between12.30pmand10.00pmonanySundayorSt.Patrick’sDay(salesarenotpermittedonGoodFridayorChristmasDay).

Alcoholproductsmustbesoldonlyatclearlydesignatedcheckoutpointsbypersonsof18yearsandover.Thesaleofalcoholproductsatunsupervisedself-servicecheckoutsisnotpermitted.

Itisrecommendedthatthesaleofalcoholoutsidepermittedhoursisblockedonallcashregisterswherealcoholmaybepurchased.Youshouldcheckthiswithyourmanageroremployer.

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adVeRtising of alcohol

In-storeadvertisingofalcoholproductsmustbeconfinedtotheareainwhichthealcoholproductsaredisplayed(e.g.don’tplaceanadvertforbeerinthebreadsection!).Advertisementsforalcoholproductsmustnotbeplacedinwindowsoratinternallocationswheretheseadvertisementscanbeseenfromoutsidethepremises.

Advertisingmaterialsproducedbyretailersshouldnotbeaimedatminorsandshouldnotseektoglamorisealcoholconsumptionorencourageexcessiveconsumption.

penalties foR the sale of alcohol to undeRage peRsons

teMpoRaRy closuRe oRdeRs and fines foR sale of alcohol to undeRage peRsons

Ifalicenceholderisconvictedofsellingtounderagedrinkers,orofanotheroffenceundertheLicensingActs,asreferredtobelow,theCourthasnodiscretionandmustimposeaTemporaryClosureOrderonthepremisesaswellasastifffine.Duringtheperiodoftheclosureorderthepremisesisclosedinitsentiretyandnobusiness,evennonliquorbusiness,canbecarriedout.

Penaltiesforthesaleofalcoholtounderagepersonsmayinclude:

• TemporaryclosureordersaremandatoryandtheJudgehasnodiscretion.

• Forafirstoffencetheclosurewillbeuptoamaximumof7days.

• Forasecondoffencetheclosurewillbeforaminimumof7daysuptoamaximumof30days.

• AconvictionundertheLicensingActsmayleadtoanendorsementontheLicence,FinesandNegativePublicity(asasignstatingwhythepremisesisclosedhastobeclearlydisplayedinaprominentpositionatthepremises).

• Finesof€1,000forafirstoffenceand€1,500forsecondorsubsequentoffencesmaybeimposed.

aiding and abetting

Employeeswhosellalcoholtounderagedrinkerscanthemselvesbeprosecutedfor“aidingandabetting”.

Whiletheprimeresponsibilityforsuchmatterslieswiththelicenceholderlegalresponsibilityalsolieswiththepersoninvolvedinthetransaction.AnGardaSíochánaarenowprosecutingemployeeswhohavebeeninvolvedinunderagesalesonaregularbasisaswellasthelicenceholdersthemselves.

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pRoof of age

Anyonewholooksunder21shouldbeaskedforidentification(“ID”)asproofofage.dO NOT TaKE a ChaNCE. Alwaysaskforidentification,evenifthestoreisbusy.Itisbettertodeclineasalethantomistakenlyselltosomeoneunder18,whichmayresultinaconviction,fineandtemporaryclosureorderagainstthepremises.

Donotrelyonappearanceonly,takeintoaccountthebodylanguageofthepersonandifthereareanypersonswholookunder18withthemeitherinsideoroutsideofthestore.

TheGardaNationalAgeCardisthepreferredproofofage.

NB – ONLY ThE NaTiONaL aGE Card prOVidES a dEfENCE iN COurT TO a CharGE Of SaLE Of aLCOhOL TO aN uNdEraGE pErSON.

WheremanagementpolicymayacceptpassportsanddriverslicencesasproofofagedocumentsthisisdoneinrecognitionthattheonlyacceptabledefenceincourttoachargeofsaleofalcoholtoanunderagepersonistheNationalAgeCard.Studentcardsmaynotbeacceptedunderanycircumstances.

TaketimetoexaminetheIDcarefullyandcomparethephotographtothecustomer.AskyourselfdoestheIDlookgenuine.IfyouareunhappywiththeageIDrefusethesalepolitely.

IfnoacceptableIDisproduced,declinethesalepolitelyandrequestthecustomertoreturnwithacceptableproofofagedocumentation.Ifyouencounterresistancestaycalmandexplainthatunderthelawyouareobligedtoaskforproofofage.Ifacustomerpersists,referthemattertothemanager.

Evenregularcustomers(whomyoumayhaveaskedbeforeforproofofageorwhommaybeknowntoyoui.e.neighboursetc.)mustbeaskedforproofofageoneachoccasioniftheylookyoungerthan21.

Ifyouareawareorsuspiciousthatalcoholisbeingpurchasedforsomeonewhoisunder18thenyoumustrefusethesale.

pRactical guidelines to pReVent undeRage sales

Careandtimemustbetakentoassessthefollowingfactors:

• Thecustomer’strueage.

• Whoisaccompanyingthem(e.g.arethepeopleaccompanyingthemunder18years).

• Rememberwhenyouaremakingasaleofalcoholyoumaybemakingasaletoawiderpartyofpeopleotherthanthosewhoarestandingbeforeyouatthecounter.

• Doesthequalityormixofproductslooksuspicious?Forexampleisapersonseeking3nagginsofspiritsratherthanalargebottle?

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• BeparticularlyvigilantatcertaintimesforunderagepersonsattemptingtopurchasealcoholforexampleFridaynights,Saturdaynights,thedayoftheJuniorCertificateorLeavingCertificateresultsandthedayspriortothis.

• Alwaysbeconsciousthatpurchasesmademaybehandedovertosomeoneunder18yearsandlookoutforthis.IfyouseesomeonehandingoveralcoholtoaminorinformthelocalbranchofAnGardaSíochánaimmediately.

• Neveracceptpaymentfromaminor,everifaccompaniedbyaparentorguardian.Thisisillegaleveniftheparentassuresyouthealcoholisforthem.

• Makesureanysuchincidentisrecordedintheincidentbookeventhoughyoumaynotknowtheidentityofthecustomer.

RestRictions on undeRage peRsons on pReMises Which aRe used only foR the sale of alcohol

Ifthereisanypartofthepremises,whichisstructurallyseparatefromtheremainderofthepremises,e.g.aseparateroomadjoiningthemainshopfloor,andthispartofthepremisesisusedforthesaleofalcohol,thenapersonundertheageof18mustnotbeallowedtobeonsuchapremisesunlesstheyareaccompaniedbyaparentoraguardian.

supplying alcohol to people Who aRe dRunk

Itisanoffencetosupplyalcoholtoapersonwhoisdrunk.Aconvictionforthisoffencecanresultinatemporaryclosureorderbeingimposedonthepremises.

Bylawa“Drunken Person”meansapersonwhoisintoxicatedtosuchanextentaswouldgiverisetoareasonablefearthatthepersonmightendangerthemselvesoranyoneelse.

Youshouldbeonthelookoutforcustomerswhodisplaythenormalsignsassociatedwithdrunkennesse.g.slurredspeech,swaying,staggeringorrowdybehaviour.Ifacustomerdemonstratesanyoftheabovesignsyoushouldalertyourmanagertodealwiththesituation.

Ifthereisnomanagerpresentyoushouldpolitelytakethecustomeraside,ifpossibleawayfromothercustomers,andexplainthatyouareunabletosellalcoholtohimandaskhimtoleavethepremises.IfthecustomerrefusestoleavedonotputyourselfindangerandcallAnGardaSíochánaimmediately.

Makesureanysuchincidentisrecordedintheincidentbookeventhoughyoumaynotknowtheidentityofthecustomer.Recordthetimeoftheincidentthereasonswhyyouwereoftheopinionthecustomerwasdrunk.

Thepenaltiesforsupplyingalcoholtoadrunkenpersonmayincludethefollowing:

• TemporaryclosureorderswhicharemandatoryandtheJudgehasnodiscretion.

• Forafirstoffencetheclosurewillbeforuptoamaximumof7days.

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disoRdeRly conduct

Itisanoffencetoallowdisorderlyconducttotakeplaceonlicensedpremises.“Disorderly Conduct” isdefinedasanyunreasonablebehaviourwhichhavingregardtoallthecircumstancesislikelytocauseinjury,fearordistresstoanybodyonthepremisesandincludesviolent,threatening,abusive,quarrelsomeorinsultingbehaviour.

Disorderlyconductmayincludebehaviourwhichcouldcausedamagetopropertyorbehaviourwhichislikelytobearisktothehealth,safetyorwelfareofanypersonintheshop.

Ifacustomerdisplaysanyoftheabovebehavioursyoushould:

• Contactyourmanagersothattheymaydealwiththesituation.

• Ifthereisnomanagerpresentyoushouldaskthecustomertoleavethepremises.

• Ifthecustomerrefuses,donotputyourselfindangerandcallAnGardaSíochánaimmediately.

• Recordtheincidentintheincidentbook.

Thepenaltiesforallowingdisorderlyconducttotakeplacemayincludethefollowing:


• Forafirstoffencetheclosurewillbeforuptoamaximumof7days.




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consuMption of alcohol Within 100 MetRes of the shop

Itisanoffencetopermittheconsumptionofalcoholwhichwaspurchasedinyourshoptobeconsumedattheentranceofthestoreorwithin100metresoftheshop,forexampleanycarparkoranypublicplace.

OncetheoccurrenceoftheoffencecomestoyourattentionyouoryourmanagermustimmediatelyreporttheincidenttoAnGardaSíochána.

Itisnodefencetosaythatyouwerenotawareoftheoffenceincircumstanceswhereyououghttohavebeenaware.

AllsuchincidentsshouldberecordedintheIncidentBook,includingthefactthatAnGardaSíochánawerenotified.

Thepenaltiesforpermittingtheconsumptionofalcoholwithin100metresoftheshopmayincludethefollowing:


• Forafirstoffencetheclosurewillbeforaminimumof2daysuptoamaximumof7days.



• Finesof€1,500for1stoffenceand€2,000for2ndorsubsequentoffences.

Refusal of seRVice

Ifyouhaveareasonablebeliefbasedonyourown“knowledge and experience”thattoserveaparticularpersonwouldleadtoa“substantial risk of criminal or disorderly conduct or behaviour or damage to property” thenyoumayrefuseservicetoaparticularindividual.

Tomakesucharefusalyoumusthave “prior and subjective”knowledgeofthecharacteroftheactualindividualcustomerwhichenablesyoutoconcludethattoservethemwouldgiverisetoasubstantialriskofcriminalordisorderlybehaviour.

Theriskmustbe“substantial”andnotmerely“possible”andyoumusthavea“reasonable belief ”thatsuchasubstantialriskexists.

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What is a “Reasonable belief ” ?

Itwouldnotbereasonabletoinferthattherewasasubstantialriskofcriminal/disorderlyconductjustbecauseservicewassoughtbyamemberofaparticulargroup.

Youmustknowfromyourownknowledgeorexperiencethatthepersoninquestionhadengagedincriminalordisorderlyconductinthepast,eitherinyourshoporanotherestablishmentandyoumusthavesomeotherreasonablegroundsforcomingtotheconclusionthattheymightengageinthattypeofconductinyourpremises,asideentirelyfromtheirmembershipofaparticulargroup.

Fearofcriminalordisorderlyconductmusthaveagoodfoundationinfactandyoumustnotrelyonstereotypesormakeassumptionsaboutpeoplebasedonanyofthe9categoriesincludedintheEqual Status Act, 2000.ThisActisdiscussedbelow.

Refusal of a sale

Ifadecisionismadetorefuseserviceyoumustgiveabriefexplanationtothecustomerandaboveallelsemakesureyouhaveavalidreasonforrefusingserviceatthetimetherefusalismade.

TherefusalshouldbemadebytheManagerorbythenextmostseniormemberofstaffworkingatthetimeifpossible.

Customerscanberefusedwherearefusalisingoodfaithandforthesolepurposeofcomplyingwiththelicensingacts.Examplesofthisare:

• Wheretheyaredisorderly–topreventdisorderlyconductonthepremises.

• Wheretheyaredrunk.

• Wheretheyareknowntobedrinkingalcoholwithina100metresofthepremises.

• Wheretheyareknowntobehandingoveralcoholtopersonsunder18yearsofage.

Youmustalwaysseekassistancefromyourmanager/employerandyoumustalwayskeeprecordsofallincidentsthatoccurinyourshop.TheIncidentBookwillplayavitalpartindefendinganyEqualStatusclaimagainstyourshop.

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the equal status act, 2000An understanding of this legislation is of critical importance to mixed trade retailers as there is a statutory link between breach of the Equal Status Act and section 19 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003. Breach of this legislation can form the grounds for the objection to the renewal of a licence under subsection 10 of that Act.

Section19oftheIntoxicatingLiquorAct2003statesasfollows:

2 Apersonwhoclaimsthatprohibitedconducthasbeendirectedagainsthimorheron,oratthepointofentryto,licensedpremisesmayapplytotheDistrictCourtforredress.

3 OnsuchanapplicationtheCourtmay,ifsatisfiedthattheapplicantisentitledtoredress,makesuchorderasitconsidersappropriateinthecircumstances,includingoneormoreofthefollowingorders:

(a) anorderforcompensationfortheeffectsoftheprohibitedconducttobepaidtotheapplicantbythelicensee,

(b) anorderthatthelicenseeofthelicensedpremisesconcernedtakeacourseofactionspecifiedintheorder,

(c) anorderfortemporary closure of the premisesinaccordancewithsection9<http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2003/en/act/pub/0031/sec0009.html#partii-sec9>,whichsectionshallhaveeffect,withthenecessarymodifications,inrelationtotheorder.

Nobusinesscandiscriminateagainstcustomerswhenadmittingorservingthem.Allcustomersmustbetreatedequally.

Discriminationisdescribedas“lessfavourabletreatment”ofapersonorgroupofpersonsonanyoftheninediscriminatorygroupsbelow.

Itisanoffencetotreatpeopledifferentlyandinadiscriminatorywayforanyofthefollowingreasons:

• Race–aparticularrace,colourornationality.

• Religion–noreligiousbelief/differentreligiousbelieforbackground.

• FamilyStatus–pregnant/withchildren/solecarer.

• MaritalStatus–single/married,separated,divorced/widowed.

• Age–differentages.

• Gender–maleonly/femaleonly.

• Disability–physical/mentalandarangeofmedicalconditions.

• MembershipoftheTravellerCommunity.

• Sexualorientation–gay/lesbian.

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poWeRs of the gaRda síochána to coMe into the shop

AmemberoftheGardaíeitherinplainclothesorinuniformcancomeintotheshopwithoutawarrantatanytimetodothefollowingthings:Inspection,examination,observationorenquiry.

AmemberofAnGardaSíochánamaydowhattheythinkisproperforthefollowingtwopurposes:

1. for the prevention of offences under the intoxicating Liquor acts.

Forexampletheymaycomeinandmakeenquiriesastotrainingproceduresortocheckontheageofstaffsellingbehindthecounter.

2. for the purpose of detection of an offence under the intoxicating Liquor acts

ForexampleifanunderagepersonallegestheypurchasedalcoholinyourshoptheGardaímaycometotheshoptomakeenquiriesofstaff.

ItisuptotheGardaítorequesttoviewyourCCTVfootage.Youareobligedtoletthemexaminethisfootage.TheymaynottakethefilmawaybuttheymayrequestyoutopreserveitintheeventtheywishtogetanOrdertoseizeit,whichyouareobligedtodo.

TheGardaímayalsorequestastatementtobemadeonthenightinquestionoratsomefuturedate.Ifyouareliabletoprosecutionyouareentitledtomakeastatementbutyouarenotobligedtodoso.Youareentitledtoseeklegaladviceoryouremployer’sadvicebeforemakingastatementtotheGardaí.

TopreventamemberoftheGardaSíochánafromexercisinghispowerunderthislegislationispunishablebyafineof€1,500forafirstoffenceand€2,000forasecondorsubsequentoffence.

AlwaysnotifythemanagerimmediatelyiftherehasbeenavisitfromtheGardaíandrecordthedetailsintheincidentbook.

Was youR tRaining pRogRaMMe successful?Ifyouarehappythatyouunderstandthelegislationandyourresponsibilitieswhenservingcustomerspleasesignthedeclarationatappendixtwo.Ifnot,itisyourresponsibilitytoapproachyourmanagerwhowilltakemoretimetoexplainthelegislationandproceduresinthisprogramme.InordertoensurecompliancewiththeCodeofPractice,everyrelevantstaffmembermustbefullytrainedastotherelevantareasoflicensinglawassetoutabove.

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appendix one

alcohol sales – questionnaiRe

(To be completed by staff member after training)

1. Whatagemustyoubetosellalcoholtoacustomer?

2. Whatagemustacustomerbetopurchasealcohol?

3. WheremusttheCodeofPracticebedisplayed?

4. WhatshouldyoudoifacustomercomplainsthattheCodeofPracticeisnotbeingadheredto?

5. Whatadvertisingofalcoholispermittedin-store?

6. Whattypeofpersonshouldyouaskforproofofage?

7. Whatisthepreferredproofofage?

8. Ifacustomerhasnoproofofage,whatshouldyoudo?

9. Ifapersonundertheageof18ispurchasingalcoholforanadult,e.g.aparent,andtheyareaccompaniedbythisadult,canyousellalcoholtothisperson?

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10. Cananemployeewhosellstoanunderagepersonbeprosecuted?

11. Howlongcanatemporaryclosureorderlastforafirstandsecondoffence?

12. Ifacustomerisdrunkshouldyousellthemalcohol?

13. Whatshouldyoudoifyouseecustomersdrinkingalcoholwithin100metresofthepremises?

14. WhatarethegroundsofdiscriminationundertheEqualStatusAct?

15. Whatmemberofstaffshouldrefuseasaletoaperson,forexamplewheretheyaredrunk/disorderly?

16. Whatshouldyoudoifanincidentoccursinthestoreinvolvingarefusaltoserve?

17. Whereshouldalcoholbedisplayed?

18. Canalcoholbepurchasedatunsupervisedself-servicecheckouts?

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ansWeRs to questionnaiRe

YES NO

1. 18

2. 18

3. AlaminatedcopyoftheCodeshouldbedisplayedclearlyinaprominentpositionintheshopsothatitmaybeviewedeasilybycustomers.

4. Suchcomplaintsshouldinthefirstinstancebeacknowledged,dealtwithandresolvedatstorelevelbythestoremanagerorlicenceholder.Complaintsshouldbepromptlyrecordedintheincidentbook.

5. In-storeadvertisingofalcoholproductsmustbeconfinedtotheareainwhichtheyaredisplayedandmaynotbeplacedinwindowsoratinternallocationswheretheycanbeseenfromoutsidethepremises.

6. Anyonewholooksunder21yearsofagewhowantstobuyalcohol.

7. TheGardaNationalAgeCard.

8. Declinethesalepolitelyandrequestthatthecustomerreturnwithproofofage.

9. No.Alcoholmustneverbesoldtoapersonundertheageofeighteenyears.

10. Yes,foraidingandabettingasaletoanunderageperson.

11. Uptosevendaysandupto30days.

12. No,itisanoffencetosellalcoholtoadrunkenperson,whichcanresultinthetemporaryclosureofthepremises.

13. YoushouldinformthemanagerimmediatelyandifthemanagerisnotavailableyoushouldcontacttheGardaí.

14. Race,religion,familystatus,maritalstatus,age,gender,disability,membershipoftheTravellerCommunityandsexualorientation.

15. Thestoremanagerorthenextmostseniormemberofstaffworkingatthetime.

16. Ensurethatallincidentsnotedintheincidentbookandreportedtothemanagerifthemanagerisnotpresentatthetime.

17. Alcoholshouldbedisplayedasfarawayfromotherfoodandbeverageproductsasispossible.Alcoholmaybedisplayedbehindthecounterforsecuritypurposes.Alcoholmustneverbedisplayedinstorewindows.

18. No.

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appendix tWo

declaRation of a staff MeMbeR

BysigningthisdocumentIconfirmthatIhavereadandfullyunderstandtheaboveinformationregardingthesaleofalcohol.Iundertaketofollowtheaboveproceduresatalltimesandtocompletemyworkinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthistrainingprogramme.Iunderstandthatanyfailurebymetofollowtheseproceduresmayresultindisciplinarysanctionandpossibledismissalfrommyemploymentinadditiontoanycriminalsanctionwhichmaybeimposedonmeormyemployerundertherelevantlegislation.

signed: date:

Witnessed: date:

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appendix thRee

explanatoRy guidelines (page 1 of 2)


BRIEFING DOCUMENT: CODE OF PRACTICE ON THE DISPLAY AND SALE OF ALCOHOL PRODUCTS IN MIXED TRADE PREMISES

IN STORE BRIEFING DOCUMENT� is brie� ng document is intended to help with the initial brie� ng of in-store sta� on the Voluntary Code of Compliance which has been agreed by the mixed trade sector. It seeks to give an explanation of the key features of the Code which will be displayed in participating stores and the Explanatory Memorandum which is part of the agreement, it does not replace these documents.

WHAT IS THE CODE� e basic principle underpinning this Code of Practice is that alcohol is not an ordinary household product despite being sold in many supermarkets, convenience stores and petrol stations.

As a result the Irish retail industry have drawn up this Voluntary Code on the responsible retailing of alcoholic products and have committed to the Minister and Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and the Minister and Department of Health and Children that it be implemented in full by all participants. � e Code went live on December 1st 2008.

HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE CODE� e Code covers eight main areas. Understanding of, and commitment to, these principles are essential for all store employees involved in the display and sale of alcohol.

1. DISPLAY OF THE CODE

� e laminated copy of the Code sent to every participating retailer must be placed in a conspicuous space, in clear sight of every customer who visits the store.

In larger stores a number of laminated copies may need to be displayed.

� e laminated copy represents the commitment of the licence holder to implement the standards of the Code and abide by its provisions. It alerts customers to the standards which they are entitled to expect.

We have provided space on each laminated copy of the Code for each store to attach a printed label with the name and address of the licence holder. It is essential that this is correctly � lled in, especially in the event of a customer complaint.

In addition the address and website details of the RRAI will be preprinted on each laminated copy of the Code.

2. DISPLAY OF ALCOHOLWhere possible the display of alcohol products should be in an area of the store that customers do not have to pass through in order to gain access to other beverages and food products. Ideally they should be positioned at the rear of the premises. Exceptions may be made for security reasons where such products are displayed behind a counter, but not in a window.

In as far as possible they need to be separate from other beverages and food products.

3. ADVERTISING OF ALCOHOLIn-store advertising of alcohol products should be con� ned to the area in which alcohol products are displayed. It should not be placed in windows or at internal locations where the intention is to display the product to people outside the store.

Advertising (point of sale) materials produced by retailers must not:

• Be aimed at minors.

• Seek to glamorise alcohol consumption.

• Encourage excessive consumption.

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explanatoRy guidelines (page 2 of 2)


4. SALE OF ALCOHOL� e sale of alcohol products is permitted only between 10.30am and 10.00pm on weekdays & Saturdays and between 12.30pm and 10.00pm on any Sunday or St. Patrick’s Day (sales are not permitted on Christmas Day and Good Friday).

Alcohol products will be sold only at clearly designated check-out points by persons over the age of 18 years.

Check-out points at which alcohol products are sold, or alternatively the display area, will be monitored by CCTV.

� e sale of alcohol products by unsupervised self-service means is not permitted.

� e sale of alcohol products on a “pay-on-delivery” basis is not permitted.

5. PROOF OF AGEProduction of a proof-of-age document must be demanded in all cases where the customer appears to be under the age of 21 years or otherwise where there may be a doubt about his or her age.

� e Garda Age Card is the preferred proof-of-age document.

6. STAFF TRAININGStore Managers and/or Licence Holders will ensure adequate training of sta� members engaged in the display and sale of alcohol products and, in particular, ensure that such sta� members have an adequate knowledge and understanding of the relevant areas of licensing law and of the Voluntary Code of Practice.

7. INDEPENDENT AUDITA national independent audit will be carried out under the auspices of the RRAI for veri� cation of compliance with the Voluntary Code of Practice. � is audit and veri� cation process will be carried out on an annual basis. � e Code will be up-dated from time to time. � e outcomes of the annual audit will be included in the independent Chairman’s report to the Minister of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. � e � rst report on Code compliance will be made to the Minister of Justice, Equality and Law Reform by the independent Chairman in September 2009.

8. COMPLAINTS PROCEDUREA transparent and credible complaints procedure regarding the implementation of this Code will be critical to its success. Complaints regarding implementation of the Voluntary Code should in the � rst instance be acknowledged, dealt with and resolved at store level by the Store Manager or the holder of the alcohol licence.

It should be noted that if a customers complaint regarding compliance to the Code is not dealt with to their satisfaction that they have the right to forward their complaint to the following address:

� e ChairmanResponsible Retailing of Alcohol in Ireland (RRAI)84-86 Baggot Street Lower, Dublin 2 or email: [email protected]

Copies of all complaints and resolutions dealt with at store level should be forwarded to an agreed central point and a designated individual within each group or chain.

WHAT IS THE RRAI� e Irish retailing industry have established a body called Responsible Retailing of Alcohol in Ireland (RRAI) under the independent Chairmanship of Mr. Padraic White. � e main objectives of the body are to:

• Communicate the Code to all relevant stakeholders.

• To support participating retailers with relevant information and training products.

• Measure compliance to the Code by means of an independent retail audit.

• Establish a credible and e� ective customer complaint procedure regarding the Code.

� e Chairman of the RRAI will present an independent report on the industries compliance with the Code to the Minister of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in September 2009.

CONCLUSIONShould an individual store have any queries regarding the Code of Practice, or this brie� ng document, it should in the � rst instance seek clari� cation from the appropriate person within its own head o¢ ce. Should the store require further electronic copies of any of these documents, they will be available from both its own head o¢ ce or from the RRAI website (www.rrai.ie).

23


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code of pRactice

OF ALCOHOL IN IRELAN

D



Code of PraCtiCe on the disPlay and sale of alCohol ProduCts in Mixed trading PreMises

disPlay of alCohol• Alcoholproductswill,asfaraspossible,bedisplayed

onlyinapartofthepremisesthroughwhichcustomersdonothavetopassinordertoobtainaccesstootherbeveragesandfoodproducts(exceptwhere,forsecurityreasons,suchproductsaredisplayedbehindthecounterbutnotinawindow).

• Alcoholproductswillbeconfinedtothatonepartofthepremisesandwill,asfaraspossible,beseparatedfromotherbeveragesandfoodproducts.

advertising• In-storeadvertisingofalcoholproductsisconfined

totheareainwhichtheyaredisplayedandwillnotbeplacedinwindowsoratinternallocationswhereitisintendedtobeseenfromoutsidethepremises.

• Advertisingmaterialsproducedbyretailerswillnotbeaimedatminorsandwillnotseektoglamorisealcoholconsumptionorencourageexcessiveconsumption.

sale of alCohol• Thesaleofalcoholproductsispermittedonlybetween

10.30amand10.00pmonweekdays&Saturdaysandbetween12.30pmand10.00pmonanySundayorSt.Patrick’sDay(salesarenotpermittedonChristmasDayandGoodFriday).

• Alcoholproductswillbesoldonlyatclearlydesignatedcheck-outpointsbypersonsovertheageof18years.

• Check-outpointsatwhichalcoholproductsaresold,oralternativelythedisplayarea,willbemonitoredbyCCTV.

• Thesaleofalcoholproductsbyunsupervisedself-servicemeansisnotpermitted.

• Thesaleofalcoholproductsona“pay-on-delivery”basisisnotpermitted.

Proof of age• Productionofaproof-of-agedocumentwillbe

demandedinallcaseswherethecustomerappearstobeundertheageof21yearsorotherwisewherethereisadoubtabouthisorherage.

• TheGardaAgeCardisthepreferredproof-of-agedocument.

staff training• Licenceholderswillensureadequatetrainingofstaff

membersengagedinthesaleofalcoholproductsand,inparticular,thatsuchstaffmembershaveanadequateknowledgeandunderstandingofrelevantareasoflicensinglaw.

indePendent audit• CompliancewiththisCodeofPracticeissubjectto

independentauditandverificationonanannualbasis.TheCodewillbeup-datedfromtimetotime.

CoMPlaints ProCedureComplaintsregardingimplementationofthisCodeshould,inthefirstinstancebemadetothelicenceholdernamedbelow,ortotheStoreManagerandifthisdoesnotresultinasuccessfulresolution,thento:TheChairman,ResponsibleRetailingofAlcoholinIrelandLtd(RRAI),84-86BaggotStreetLower,Dublin2oremail:[email protected]

Name and address of licence holder

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appendix fouR

fRont-line staff tRaining Manual

Responsible Retailing of alcohol in iReland ltd (RRai)

84-86 Baggot Street Lower, dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 605 1500 Email: [email protected] web: www.rrai.ie

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