Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 5

Written Answers. - Under-age Drinking.

Máirín Quill

Ceist:

71 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Justice his views on whether there is now ample evidence to prove that it is not possible to enforce the law in relation to under-age drinking since no proper provision has been made for the provision of age cards; and when he proposes to make an order giving effect to section 40 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988.

Máirín Quill

Ceist:

74 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Justice when he proposes to make an order in relation to section 47 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988, in relation to the sale of intoxicating liquor in supermarkets or off-licences in which commodities other than intoxicating liquor are sold by retailers.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Flynn)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 74 together.

Given the wide range of measures introduced by the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988, which provide a sound framework within which the problem of under-age drinking can be tackled, I do not accept that it is not possible to enforce the law relating to under-age drinking. The basic approach behind these measures is to make it as difficult as legislatively feasible for a person under 18 years of age to purchase or otherwise obtain alcohol or to consume it other than in a private residence, and, where these rules are broken, to make it possible for the Garda to seize it. It would be inappropriate to introduce new measures until there has been more time to assess the impact of the measures introduced by the 1988 Act. There is reason to believe that the existing measures are beginning to have a positive effect.

I take the view that the problem of under-age drinking cannot be solved by legislation alone. The social, cultural and economic factors involved in this problem must be taken into consideration. It is for this reason that I promote and encourage the idea of community-based initiatives and the Garda Síochána have been encouraged to become involved in organising and assisting such local initiatives to deal with alcohol abuse by persons under age. I understand that there is Garda involvement in 26 existing voluntary local identity card schemes, which by and large are operating successfully, and that moves are afoot to establish further schemes in other areas. The indications are that local schemes backed by a strong community involvement make a positive contribution to tackling under-age drinking and I consider that for the present at least, the way forward lies in the development of further such schemes rather than in the introduction of a national scheme with all that that entails.

I am not convinced that a section 47 order prohibiting sales of drink by self-service methods in outlets such as supermarkets and off-licences is necessary to supplement the wide range of measures already in place to curb under-age drinking. I will continue to keep this matter under regular review but in so doing I will have to have regard to the repercussions, financial and otherwise, of such an order for the outlets concerned.