Vol. 518 No. 2
21 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the consideration, if any, he has given to the introduction of a compulsory ID scheme in order to combat the problem of underage drinking; if he has commissioned any research to examine the effectiveness or otherwise of such schemes in other countries; the conclusions, if any, drawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11202/00]
Regulations to provide for the introduction of a national voluntary age card scheme as provided for in section 40 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988, were made by me on 19 January 1999 and came into effect on 19 April, 1999. The Act of 1988 provides only for the introduction of a voluntary age card scheme and I have no plans, as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, to amend the law to provide for a mandatory scheme. The card is, after all, to be used by persons who are legally entitled to consume alcohol in that they have already attained 18 years of age. It would hardly be appropriate to compel persons to carry a card in those circumstances.
There are substantial changes provided for in the Intoxicating Liquor Bill, 2000, to deal with underage drinking. I am of the view – a view shared by the Government – that the subject matter requires the comprehensive approach that is taken in the Bill. The provisions extend to a new sanction of temporary closure of a premises, an increase in existing penalties and the removal of the "reasonable grounds" defence in any proceedings against a licensee. The removal of the "reasonable grounds" defence will place a greater onus on the licensee of a licensed premises to ensure that intoxicating liquor is supplied only to those who are legally entitled to purchase or consume it on licensed premises. The removal of the "reasonable grounds" defence is complementary to the voluntary age card scheme.
The time to review the operation of the voluntary age card scheme will be when some experience is gained of the law on the basis of removal of the defence of reasonable grounds. However, any such review will need to consider also the extent to which the other important changes in the Bill as enacted will have impacted on the problem of underage drinking.
