The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, is "very concerned" at the arrival of a vodka-in-a-sachet product and plans to discuss banning it with the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, as a "matter of urgency".
The sachets, containing a 30ml shot of vodka, were introduced yesterday by a US businessman, Dr Joe Elia, though his Dublin-based Little Drinks Company.
Costing €1.50 per bag the Vodka Bullseye Baggies are an "excellent way to keep track" of alcohol and calorie intake, according to Dr Elia, who is a graduate of the Royal College of Surgeons.
Mr McDowell is very concerned about the product and plans to bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Health as well as discuss the matter with the licensed trade, a spokeswoman for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform stated last night.
He will discuss with Mr Martin whether regulation is appropriate and if so, by whom, the spokeswoman said.
"His concerns centre around the fact that the company claims it promotes responsible drinking. This raises questions for the Minister, especially considering their pricing policy and more specifically the ease by which the product could be hidden from a parent or a person in charge of events attended by people under the age of 18," the spokeswoman stated.
Calls for the immediate ban of the product were made following its launch yesterday. Mr Noel Grealish, TD for Galway West, brought the product to the attention of the Minister. He said it would lead to an increase in under-age drinking.