The position is that statutory provisions concerning the issuing of licences for the sale and consumption of alcohol products in designated national sporting areas are set out in section 21 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003.
Under section 21 of the 2003 Act, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is authorised to make regulations designating an arena or stadium used primarily for sport as a "designated national sporting arena" and to issue a certificate approving of the issue of a licence by the Revenue Commissioners in respect of it. Such regulations must clearly identify prescribed areas in the arena within which alcohol products may be sold and consumed; sale and consumption of alcohol outside the prescribed areas is not permitted.
As regards the presence of children on licensed premises, the position is that section 34 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988, as amended, makes it an offence for a licensee to permit a person under the age of 18 years to be in the bar of a licensed premises after 9.00 p.m. (10.00 p.m. during the months of May to September). However, section 34 applies to bars of licensed premises only and does not apply to premises in which the sale and consumption of alcohol is ancillary to other activity, such as restaurants, theatres or designated national sporting arenas.
