asked the Minister for Justice if he will state what action is being taken to prevent young people under 18 years of age from obtaining alcoholic drink in hotels and licensed premises; and if he is aware of the serious abuse taking place.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drink Abuse.
21.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda make every effort to enforce the restrictions applicable to the sale of drink to persons under 18 years of age but there are difficulties in ensuring full compliance with any provisions of this kind. Licensees have to be given the benefit of the doubt in borderline cases. It would be of considerable assistance if anyone who has good reason to believe that a particular licensee is contravening the law in this matter would inform the local Garda.
Can the Minister say how many charges there were in this connection in the past few years?
There was one complaint and one conviction in the Dublin area during the past 12 months.
Surely the Minister is aware that there is no necessity for Deputies on this side of the House to give him details of the gross abuse of this law all over the city of Dublin? People less than the age of 18 years are freely obtaining drink and abusing it. Not only that, but they are also obtaining drugs.
The best way of preventing abuse is to make complaints to the Garda. As I have said, only one complaint was made to the Garda during the 12 months ended 31st May, 1970. If the Deputy is aware of any licensed premises where this law is abused, I would suggest that he inform the Garda who would immediately make investigations.
Is the Minister aware that it is possible to obtain certain intoxicating drinks—for instance, cider —in places other than hotels and licensed premises?
Section 11 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act of 1924 applies to off-licence premises. Severe penalties are applied in cases of abuse. These include compulsory endorsement of the licence in the case of the commission of an offence under this section.