Written Answers. - Liquor Licensing Laws.
Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:
416
Cecilia Keaveney
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the initiatives he plans to pursue in relation to addressing the issue of under age drinking which is so prevalent in small rural and large urban centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9835/02]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue): Although criminal and civil legislative measures have an important role to play in addressing the issue of under age drinking, it should be noted that a much broader-based response is required, involving a range of State agencies, the drinks industry, the creative media and, in particular, parents. For my part, I introduced the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2000, which represents a considerable strengthening of the law in relation to under-age drinking. It increased fines for breaches of the law on under-age drinking, abolished the defence of "reasonable belief" in any proceedings against the licensee and made provision for a new penalty – a temporary closure order – for conviction of the sale of alcohol to underage persons. Of the 184 prosecutions taken under the Act for the period 30 June 2000, to the 11 February 2002, closure orders were obtained in 82 cases.
The national voluntary age card scheme, which I introduced by way of statutory regulations in April 1999, is designed to complement such legislative initiatives. Its purpose is to provide evidence of age where a doubt exists, and the scheme is intended for persons who have already attained 18 years of age and who are, therefore, legally entitled to purchase or consume alcohol on a licensed premises and who wish to do so. I am pleased to report that, to date, approximately 52,000 age cards have been issued, of which approximately 30,000 were processed last year. To further promote the take-up of age cards, I recently secured the sum of €150,000 in Budget 2002 for an awareness raising campaign in relation to the national scheme, the details of which will be announced in due course.
