Jimmy Deenihan
Question:25 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice if he intends to amend the legislation in relation to teenage drinking.
Written Answers. - Legislation on Teenage Drinking.
Máirín Quill
Question:28 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Justice when he proposes to make an order in relation to section 47 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988, namely provision in relation to the sale of intoxicating liquor in supermarkets or off-licenses in which commodities other than intoxicating liquor are sold by retailers.
Máirín Quill
Question:31 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Justice his views on whether there is now ample evidence to prove that it is not possible to enforce the law in relation to underage drinking since no proper provision has been made for the provision of age cards; and when he proposes to make an order giving effect to section 40 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 28 and 31 together.
I have no plans at present to amend the law in relation to under-age drinking, either generally or by making regulations under section 40 or an order under section 47 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988. This relatively recent Act introduced a wide range of measures which provide a solid framework within which the problem of under-age drinking is being tackled.
The basic approach behind these measures is to make it as difficult as legislatively feasible for a person under 18 years of age to purchase alcohol or to get possession of it or to consume it other than in a private residence, and, where he or she gets possession, to make it possible for the gardaí to seize it. It would be inappropriate to introduce new measures until there has been more time to assess the impact of the measures introduced by the 1988 Act. There is reason to believe that the existing measures are beginning to have a positive effect.
In a reply to a question earlier in the month I indicated that the problem of under-age drinking cannot be solved by legislation alone. The social, cultural and economic factors involved in this problem must be taken into consideration. It is for this reason that I continue to promote and encourage the idea of community based initiatives and I have encouraged the Garda Síochána to become involved in organising and assisting such local initiatives to deal with alcohol and other substances abuse. I am informed by the Garda authorities of Garda involvement in 26 existing voluntary local identity card schemes, which have by and large operated successfully. I understand that moves are afoot to establish further schemes in other areas. The indications are that local schemes with a strong community involvement make a positive contribution to tackling under-age drinking and I consider that for the present at least the way forward lies in the development of further such schemes rather than in the introduction of a compulsory, national scheme.
I still have under consideration the question of whether I should make an order under section 47 of the 1988 Act prohibiting sales of drink by self-service methods in outlets such as supermarkets. In addition to assessing the effect of other measures in the Act to curb under-age drinking, I will have to bear in mind the repercussions, financial and otherwise, of such an order for the outlets concerned.
I can assure the Deputies that I will continue to keep the licensing laws under regular review.