Proof of age
NOffLA members are reminded that in the absence of a mandatory age card the Garda Age Card provides definitive proof of identification for those who choose to obtain one. NOffLA members may want to direct customers to the Garda website www.garda.ie for application forms. Members requiring additional information regarding the National Age Card should contact agecard@iol.ie.
Members are reminded that, in addition to the Garda National Age Card, the only other acceptable forms of ID are a passport, a driver’s licence or an EU identity card. No student cards or other identification can be accepted under any circumstances.
Each day that an outlet opens, that business and its staff are potentially putting their livelihood at risk. The most important task an off-licence owner undertakes is to ensure that staff are fully trained and highly vigilant when it comes to making sure that you do not sell alcohol to anyone who is underage or drunk.
As part of this process it is imperative that all incidents are logged in a dedicated ‘incident book’. It is important that all incidents and the times they occur are logged on a daily basis. An ‘incident’ constitutes any activities that are out of the ordinary.
For instance, occasions where a member of staff has had to contact the Gardai for some reason, such as: for breach of the 100 metre rule where youths are non-compliant; if a fake ID was encountered; for drunken customers; or in case of aggressive behaviour from customers or unusual buying patterns.
It is also important to record ‘no incident’ if none took place. A well maintained incident book can be a valuable tool in demonstrating your efforts to conduct your business responsibly, particularly in the event of proceedings being brought against you. To work effectively, the incident book should be easily accessible to all staff throughout the day.
