Vol. 557 No. 2
261 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the practice of off-licences making deliveries to homes and other places and of some fast food delivery services also delivering alcohol along with food orders; the provisions covering such services in respect of supplying alcohol to minors and in view of the widespread availability and use of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21855/02]
The principal legislative provisions relating to intoxicating liquor and persons under the age of 18 years are set out in Part IV of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988, as amended by the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2000. In particular, section 31 of the 1988 Act provides that the holder of a licence shall not sell or deliver, or permit any person to sell or deliver, intoxicating liquor to a person under the age of 18 years. Any person who contravenes these provisions is guilty of an offence. As the Deputy is aware, severe penalties, including the temporary closure of a licensed premises, can result where a licensee is convicted of the offence of selling intoxicating liquor to an under-age person.
I understand that the Commission on Liquor Licensing which is currently reviewing the liquor licensing system has established a sub-committee on distance sales and home deliveries to assess the adequacy of existing legislative provisions and to develop recommendations for any necessary legislative changes. Any such recommendations will be set out in the commission's final report.
