Vol. 407 No. 8
1 Mr. S. Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement on (1) the growing public concern in relation to the level of under-age drinking in public places (2) the fact that alcohol appears to be readily available to young people for purchase and (3) the level of vandalism and crime associated with under-age drinking; and if he will outline the steps he intends taking to deal with these problems.
I am deeply concerned about all aspects of the problem of under-age drinking and I am anxious that all possible steps are taken to keep the problem under control.
In this respect, the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988 introduced a wide range of controls which provide a solid framework within which the problem of under-age drinking is being tackled. The Act provides the following curbs on under-age drinking:
(1) It is now an offence for any person under 18 years of age to purchase alcohol, whether in or at an off-licence or to consume it in any place other than a private residence.
(2) It is now an offence for any person to purchase alcohol for consumption by a person under 18 years of age in any place other than a private residence.
(3) The Garda have been given powers to seize intoxicating liquor in the possession of person under 18 years of age in any place other than a private residence.
(4) Persons under 15 years of age are only allowed into licensed premises if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
(5) No person under 18 years of age is allowed in the part of licensed premises where an extension under a special exemption order is in force.
(6) Persons under the age of 18 are not allowed on off-licensed premises unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
(7) The law has been changed to make it easier to prove that alcohol has been supplied to persons under 18 years of age.
The basic approach behind these measures was to make it as difficult as legislatively possible for a person under 18 years of age to get possession of drink, and thus to consume it, and where he did so get possession, to make it possible for the Garda to seize it.
The question appears to imply that there is a problem with young people holding drink parties in public places. I am informed by the Garda that this is in fact not the case. On investigation of the few complaints received the Garda have found that most of the complaints relate to parties held on private property. I am also assured by the Garda that alcohol is not readily supplied by licensees to persons under 18 years of age. However, no amount of legislative steps will totally overcome the problem of young people acquiring intoxicating liquor from other sources. As I am sure the House will understand, the problem of under-age drinking cannot be solved by legislation alone. The social, cultural and economic factors involved in the problem of under-age drinking need to be considered in a broad approach to the problem. The Garda are involved in organising and assisting local initiatives to deal with alcohol and other substance abuse.
In a reply to a question by Deputy Tom Kitt on 24 October 1990, my colleague the Minister for Health set out details of programmes for the education of young people on the dangers of alcohol abuse.
I thank the Minister for his reply but I disagree with him on the size of the problem. Would the Minister not agree that there is evidence from residents that the high level of vandalism in some areas arises directly from the fact that there are some places selling alcohol to very young juveniles? The Minister informed me on 26 March 1989 that only 135 cases had been brought before the courts——
I shall have to dissuade the Deputy from quoting. It is not in order at Question Time.
Would the Minister not agree that while the provisions of the Intoxicating Liquor Act — which formed part of the Private Members' Bill that I introduced — are there, in reality they are not working? The Minister has not yet made an order covering the sale of alcohol in supermarkets where drink is freely available. Secondly, provision is made in that Bill for the issuing of identity cards on a voluntary basis. Would the Minister not agree therefore that if we are serious about tackling this problem he should immediately introduce those provisions to enable identity cards be issued to those who want them? Furthermore why has he not introduced the order covering the sale of alcohol in supermarkets?
Let us not forget the time limit associated with Priority Questions and the need for brevity.
My final supplementary is to ask the Minister if he would not agree, given the current level of policing in urban areas, that it is not possible for the Garda to deal with this problem because of low numbers?
Questions are too long from any standpoint.
I will try to answer each of the supplementaries asked. With regard to identity cards, I indicated in my reply to Deputy Barrett on 6 March that I was reluctant to introduce a scheme whereby young persons would carry an identity card in schemes operated by the Garda. I have not changed my views in this matter in the interim. I could give a number of examples of successful voluntary identity card schemes being operated at local community level throughout the State — the one in Greystones is a good example. I believe local initiatives by concerned parents, teachers, the Garda Síochána and others interested in this matter are likely to be more successful than a scheme operated on a national level without local involvement and support.
With regard to the supermarkets, I still have under consideration the question of whether I should make such an order but I have to bear in mind that such an order would have severe repercussions, financial and otherwise, for supermarkets, large and small. I want to be sure that the other measures we have put in place to curb under-age drinking are working as effectively as possible before I make the order.
On the general question of policing, the Garda assure me that numbers are kept under constant review. They also gave me the assurances I outlined in my initial reply. On the question of vandalism, neither legislative steps nor an increase in Garda manpower would curb that problem. Lack of respect for property, both public and private, is considered to be a root cause of vandalism. Respect for other people's property must be passed on by parents and leaders in society in general to our young people if we are to succeed in cultivating responsible attitudes. I am informed by the Garda authorities that they continue to enforce the law and take whatever steps they deem necessary when instances of vandalism come to their notice.
