Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 2

Written Answers. - Liquor Licensing Laws.

Billy Timmins

Question:

16 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of identity cards issued by the Garda Síochána; if he has satisfied himself that the cards are foolproof; his views on whether they are making a significant contribution to curbing underage drinking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11123/00]

Jim Higgins

Question:

118 Mr. Higgins (Mayo): asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of identity cards issued by the Garda Síochána; if he has satisfied himself that the cards are foolproof; his views on whether they are making a significant contribution to curbing underage drinking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11124/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 118 together.

I am committed to tackling the issue of under age drinking but there is no one easy solution. It is a health and education issue as well as a question of law enforcement. Indeed dealing with the underage drinking problem should not be seen as the province of State agencies alone – parents, the drinks industry and the media too, must also play its part in helping to address the problem of underage drinking.

Turning to my areas of responsibility, the introduction of a voluntary age card scheme must be looked at as part of a broader strategy which includes amending the law and facilitating stronger enforcement by the Garda Síochána. In particular, the Intoxicating Liquor Bill, 2000, contains provisions to strengthen the law further on underage drinking. It will do so through removal of the "reasonable grounds" defence in any proceedings against a licensee, closure of a licensed premises for a specified period, and an increase in fines generally. Under current law it is a defence for a licensee to claim that he or she had "reasonable grounds" for believing that a person to whom he or she sold intoxicating liquor was of legal age. By removing this defence a greater onus is placed on the licensee to ensure that intoxicating liquor is supplied only to those who are legally entitled to purchase or consume it on licensed premises. In these circumstances, reliance by licensees on the national voluntary age card as a means of verifying the age of an individual will assume greater importance. It should be quite clear that the introduction of a voluntary age card scheme does make a significant contribution to tackling the problem of under age drinking.

Turning to the more specific details raised, the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988 (Age Card) Regulations, 1999, provide for a voluntary national age card scheme whereby any person who has attained 18 years of age may apply for an age card at their local Garda Station in order to confirm that they have attained the legal age for the purchase of intoxicating liquor. The Garda community relations section in Harcourt Square have been given responsibility, under the Regulations, for the issuing of the cards and a total of 7,950 age cards have been issued, to date.

To prevent underage persons from obtaining age cards, applicants must, in person, present their application in writing to the member in charge of the Garda station for the area in which the applicant normally resides. The application must be accompanied by a birth certificate, at least one other document which confirms the identity of the applicant, two photographs and a fee of £5. If satisfied as to the identity of the applicant and that he or she has attained the age of 18 years, the member shall authenticate the application by countersigning the application form, endorsing each of the photographs and stamping the application form with the official stamp of the Garda Síochána station. The application is then forwarded to the Garda community relations section. To prevent the forgery or altering of age cards – which is an offence under the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988 – the cards have security features, which include a hologram, incorporated into their design.