Alcohol in every corner of the supermarket

Well that's already illegal. How about we enforce the laws we already have, before we go penalizing all drinkers.

Absolutely - I'm just pointing out this is a problem, not suggesting supermarkets stop selling alcohol. But I would have some sympathy with law enforcers in this area as there are something like 4 times as many outlets selling alcohol now compared to before the law was changed. In the meantime we have to live with the consequences.
 
there are something like 4 times as many outlets selling alcohol now compared to before the law was changed. In the meantime we have to live with the consequences.

You have to ask why was the law changed in the first instance. There were several good reasons at the time increased competition and facilitating a burgeoning demand from people who did not want to drink in pubs. The consequences of this change are not all bad, in my opinion. In fact, I would worry far more about the misery caused by the surge in gambling in recent years than that caused by alcohol.
 
Well, some may be happy to read that the IMO want sale of alcohol in supermarkets etc to be banned!
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I don't think the law actually changes to allow more off-licences.

What happened a few years ago was that licences were allowed to be transferred from any civil parish to any other civil parish.

Before that, a licence could only stay within the same civil parish.

So if a pub closed in Galway cith centre, the licence could only be transferred to a new pub or off-licence in Galway city centre.

But now, if a pub shuts anywhere, then the licence can be transferred to areas that are "under-pubbed". I think this makes sense.

Also, a licence from an old pub can be transferred to a new off-licence anywhere.