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The Government is examining the possibility of banning the sale of cheap alcohol without waiting to act together with Northern Ireland.
The Oireachtas passed legislation to introduce minimum unit prices in 2018, but the measure has yet to be introduced.
The government has previously insisted that it would introduce price restrictions at the same time as Northern Ireland to discourage people crossing the border from buying cheap alcohol.
But Northern Ireland’s Health Minister Robin Swann has now said that the minimum unit price will not be introduced until after the Assembly elections in May next year.
It is understood that the junior minister with responsibility for public health, Frank Feighan, does not want to wait another year to introduce the measures.
You will have discussions with interested parties, including publicans and licenses to move in earlier.
The Government Program undertook to implement minimum unit prices in consultation with Northern Ireland.
Any change in policy would require a Cabinet decision.
There is no timetable for the discussions yet.
Alcohol Action Ireland has welcomed the move.
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