asked the Minister for Justice the proposals, if any, to amend the Intoxicating Liquor Acts to prohibit the sale of some or all alcoholic beverages to juveniles and persons addicted to alcohol.
Written Answers. - Intoxicating Liquor Acts.
119.
Various proposals for the amendment of the licensing laws, many of them relating to the problem of under-age drinking, have been received by me and my predecessors over the years. I am examining all the proposals that have been made but, because of other more pressing matters, I am not yet in a position to say what recommendations, if any, I will make.
The present position is that the Intoxicating Liquor (General) Act, 1924, prohibits, in general, the sale of intoxicating liquor for consumption "on" or "off" licensed premises to persons under the age of eighteen. Section 11 of the Act prohibits the sale of intoxicating liquor to persons under the age of 18 but subsection (4) allows the sale or delivery of intoxicating liquor to a person over the age of 15 in a corked and sealed vessel containing not less than one reputed pint. If the exception were removed or modified, young people who may now avail themselves of the provision could find other ways of getting drink, e.g. by getting companions who are over 18 to do the buying. On the other hand, the provisions seem to serve no good purpose and if the Intoxicating Liquor Acts were being amended serious consideration would be given to proposing its repeal.
The problem of drinking by young persons is a social one related to the drinking habits of the community generally. Legislative changes or police action can at best have a marginal effect in dealing with this problem. The co-operation of the community is essential in bringing to the notice of the Gardai information concerning those who may be deliberately selling intoxicating liquor to underage persons.
As regards prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages to persons addicted to alcohol, the practical difficulties in even identifying such persons would, of themselves, make a prohibition unenforceable even if it could be defended in principle.