Vol. 558 No. 6
170 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the growing phenomenon of young people under age being facilitated unaccompanied in public houses to watch soccer games on a channel (details supplied); if he has considered the position in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25312/02]
The position in relation to children in licensed premises is that section 34 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988, provides that the holder of a licence of any licensed premises shall not allow a child, i.e. a person under the age of 15 years, to be at any time in the bar of his or her licensed premises. The licence holder may, however, allow a child to be present if the child is accompanied by his or her parent or guardian.
The Government has approved the drafting of an amendment to the Equal Status Act, 2000, to permit a licence holder not to allow a person under the age of 15 to be in the bar of his or her licensed premises, whether or not accompanied by the parent or guardian, at certain times or at any time and that this shall not constitute discrimination.
I agree with the views expressed by Commission on Liquor Licensing in its Second Interim Report and by the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol in its Interim Report that the admission of children to licensed premises should be restricted. The environment in licensed premises is not generally appropriate for children since it exposes them at an early age to a form of alcohol promotion that is potentially damaging to their welfare and health.
