Charlie O'Connor
Question:212 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to deal with the crisis of under age drinking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14241/03]
Written Answers. - Under Age Drinking.
As the Deputy is aware, there has been a very significant increase in alcohol consumption by young people in recent years. This is leading in turn to increased alcohol-related harm among young people. A policy response is called for and I intend to address some of the issues arising in this area in the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003, the general scheme of which the Government approved at its meeting yesterday, 27 May.
The purpose of the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003 will be to amend the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2000 in order to respond to certain recommendations of the Commission on Liquor Licensing and to concerns outlined in the interim report of the strategic task force on alcohol. Also relevant in this context is the special initiative on tackling alcohol misuse set out in chapter 2 of Sustaining Progress, the Social Partnership Agreement 2003 – 05.
The Bill will contain a number of provisions designed to combat under-age and excessive consumption of alcohol. For example, it is intended to strengthen existing provisions relating to the supply of intoxicating liquor to under 18s. Consumption of intoxicating liquor by a person under 18 will only be permitted in a private residence where a parent or guardian has given explicit consent. The Bill will also provide that persons under 21 must carry an evidence of age document on licensed premises. Sanctions and penalties will be increased and in order to improve compliance with and enforcement of the licensing laws, the Bill will contain a provision extending enforcement powers to non-uniformed gardaí.
The Bill will also contain a number of provisions relating to persons under 18 years. It is proposed to safeguard the existing discretion of licensees to exclude children under 15s from bars of licensed premises at any time but in future children will not be allowed in the bars of licensed premises after 8 p.m. Moreover, licensees will be permitted to exclude children wherever it appears that the duration of a child's presence in the bar could reasonably be regarded as injurious to the health, safety or welfare of the child. Licensees will also be given discretion to exclude young persons aged 15 to 17 from the bars of licensed premises at any time, but they must be excluded after 8 p.m.
I propose to amend the Equal Status Act 2000 in order to permit licensees to set a minimum age for the sale and consumption of intoxicating liquor at a level above the statutory minimum of 18 provided the policy is publicly displayed and operated in a non-discriminatory manner.