asked the Minister for Justice if he will (i) amend the licensing laws to prohibit anybody under 18 years of age from entering a licensed premises; (ii) raise the age at which a person may buy drink at off-licences to 18; and (iii) put the onus on the person purchasing drink to provide proof of age.
Written Answers. - Under-Age Drinking.
136.
A review of the liquor licensing laws is nearing completion in my Department, with a view to the introduction of amending legislation to help in counter-acting drink abuses, special regard being had to the problem of drinking by young persons. The House will, in due course, have an opportunity of considering any particular proposals that may be put forward, following this review.
May I say, however, that legislative controls in this area are not the only factor which has to be considered. The problem of drinking by young persons is really a social one, related to the drinking habits and attitudes of the community in general, and I think it must be appreciated that legislative restrictions, by themselves, cannot solve this problem.