Dublin city manager Mr John Fitzgerald has acknowledged that the city centre has a serious public order problem at night because of excessive drinking.
Alcohol abuse was now causing more anti-social behaviour in the city centre than drug abuse, he said, to the extent that people may be deterred from coming into the area at night.
The balance between allowing people to enjoy themselves and safety of others had been "tipped over", Mr Fitzgerald said.
He added that the council planned to tackle the problem in part through the establishment on a statutory footing of a new policing committee for the city, and new power to object to drink licences in its area.
The forthcoming Garda Bill provides for the establishment of local policing committees, which will act as official liaison groups between Garda authorities, local authorities and politicians.
It is envisaged that the committees will keep under review local levels and patterns of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour, and will make recommendations on issues such as policing levels. Under the forthcoming intoxicating liquor legislation, local authorities will also be able to object to the granting by District Courts of licence extensions.
"We enjoy a good working relationship with the Garda," he said. "But what we will have in the new year are new formal structures with the policing authorities."
Acknowledging recent media attention on behaviour in the city centre, especially on St Patrick's Day last, Mr Fitzgerald said that the public order problem had risen significantly in the last five years.
"There's no doubt that alcohol abuse affects far more people than drug abuse," he said.
The pubs and bars in Dublin city centre were one of its major attractions, and the council was anxious that any new initiatives did not damage the tourism.
"We're conscious of the fact that that's part of the attraction of Dublin city, and don't want to go overboard."
Other initiatives by the city council to make the city centre an attractive, safe and clean environment had worked extremely well, he said.
Known as the "public domain" initiative, it has targeted day-time begging and outdoor drinking and drug taking in a core city centre area.
The programme has involved identifying the specific individuals involved, and trying to provide them with specific programmes of help, including rehabilitation and other health and care services.