Letters

Alcohol and licensing laws

Concerns are being ignored

Thu Oct 27 2022 - 00:06

Sir, – In 2018, in a flurry of concern for the health of the nation due to the consumption of alcohol products, the Government enacted the Public Health (Alcohol) Act which introduced all those annoying niggly restrictions on the sale of alcohol in shops. Has this concern now been abandoned? – Yours, etc,

TIM BRACKEN,

Cork.

Sir, – Customers can decide if and when they want to spend all night in pubs and clubs, but not so the employees in this service industry. – Yours, etc,

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GERALDINE O’DALY,

New Inn,

Co Galway.

Sir, – I hope the buses, the Dart, the Luas will keep up with the new licensing laws. – Yours, etc,

TIM SWEETMAN,

Graiguenamanagh,

Co Kilkenny.

Sir, – Doubtless everyone who lives within earshot of a nightclub will be delighted to know that the mayhem which follows closing time could now go on as late as 6am. For some reason there is also believed to be a need for pubs to stay open to half past midnight. Accepting that the human body can only tolerate so much alcohol in any one session, surely the answer for those who haven’t had enough by 11.30pm is for them to start sooner. – Yours, etc,

VINCENT HEARNE,

Chinon,

France.

Sir, – I note that the new Bill on the sale of alcohol retains 10.30am as the opening time for off-licence sales. It is difficult to understand the logic behind this. Most off-licences are now located in supermarkets and convenience stores and it seems ridiculous that one cannot buy a bottle of wine if you need or wish to shop before this rather arbitrary starting time.

I understand the reasons behind the early closure of off-licences but the rationale behind a 10.30am rather than an 8am starting time escapes me. – Yours, etc,

GERRY MOORE,

Cobh,

Co Cork.

Sir, – Nightclubs opening until 6am will allow for staggered exits. Plus ça change. – Yours, etc,

MICHAEL KEEGAN,

Booterstown,

Co Dublin.