The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, is correct when he says there is a crisis in this society caused by excessive alcohol consumption. It is not a fresh insight.
The Coalition Government has received a barrage of warnings in recent years about the damage being caused by alcohol abuse, particularly where young people are concerned. But the latest document, a report by the Liquor Licensing Commission, may provide the necessary stimulus to do something about the problem.
Mr McDowell appears well disposed towards taking tough measures. But, given the political influence of the drinks lobby within Fianna Fail, the Progressive Democrats minister may have a difficult time in pushing legislation through the Oireachtas.
Youthful binge drinking and late-night street violence are now endemic in most major centres of population throughout the State. Last February, Mr McDowell spoke of introducing statutory regulations that would require persons under the age of 25 years to carry identity cards in night clubs and pubs. And the licensees would be obliged to ensure that under-aged persons were not served alcohol. Yesterday's commission report suggested that publicans should have a right to ban 16 and 17-year-olds from their premises.
Among its 130 recommendations, it suggested an earlier closing time of 11.30 p.m. on Thursdays; the banning of entertainment during drinking-up time; penalties for pubs and clubs that encouraged excessive drinking; and an involvement by local communities in granting special exemptions and in setting late closing times for clubs.
Mr McDowell has said intoxication will no longer be accepted by the courts as a defence for violent or anti-social behaviour under a new Sentencing Principles Bill. But action is also required in relation to special promotions and the glamorising of alcohol through advertising. On the latter point, the sooner sporting organisations sever their sponsorship links with the drinks industry, the better.
Rising standards of living have fuelled alcohol consumption in this State and we now top the EU league in expenditure per person. Abuse is not confined to young persons. Right across society, people have difficulty in coping with alcohol. The Garda Síochána points to an extension of pub opening hours, four years ago, as a major cause of late-night violence.
Tougher regulation of the trade is clearly desirable. And the 300-400 per cent profit margins enjoyed by publicans on soft drinks sales should be examined by the Competition Authority.