Ahern says Alcohol Bill's reforms limit access

PROPOSALS IN the Intoxicating Liquor Bill, introduced in the Dáil last night, “represent a coherent and carefully-balanced package of practical reforms which are designed to reduce access to alcohol”, according to Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern.

He described the legislation as “a relatively short but ambitious Bill” to give effect to reforms recommended by the Government Alcohol Advisory Group, as Ireland has one of the highest alcohol consumption levels in the EU.

The legislative provisions include “strengthening measures to tackle public disorder and antisocial behaviour on the streets and in our communities”. The Bill also tackles “the increased visibility and availability of alcohol through retail outlets with off-licences, while tightening the conditions under which premises with on-licences qualify for special exemption orders permitting them to remain open beyond normal licensing hours.

“The Bill places renewed emphasis on enforcement of licensing law, particularly in relation to underage drinking.” He said the Bill “also strengthens public order provisions by including measures to curtail alcohol consumption in public places – especially by those under 18 years – and by allowing gardaí to seize alcohol. The gardaí will also have powers to seize alcohol from any person, regardless of age, “where the consumption of alcohol in a public place is causing, or likely to cause, annoyance or nuisance or a breach of the peace”.

Fine Gael justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan said there was a “compelling case in the context of public health and public safety to limit the widespread availability of alcohol”. The “laissez-faire approach adopted by Fianna Fáil, no doubt with PD persuasion, in the last number of years has been a failure”.

Labour spokesman Pat Rabbitte said he was “sceptical” about the Bill. “It is designed as an interim high-profile response to the public disorder resulting from binge drinking on our streets and public places.”