Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan has called on the Government to examine opening hours of off-licenses and the volume of alcohol that can be purchased at any one time. "When you see slabs of cans being taken home you know that they are not being taken home for an after-dinner aperitif." Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, the junior minister said he raised this issue at last night's Fine Gael Parliamentary Party.
He was speaking after Level 3 restrictions came into force throughout the country at midnight. The Limerick TD said the examination would need to take place quickly if it is to be effective in the three-week period of the Level 3 restrictions.