Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 November 2023
246. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice if she will carry out a health impact assessment on the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022; the planning that has taken place to ensure that there are adequate resources across a number of areas (details supplied); the additional funding that will be made available in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51713/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has engaged in an extensive consultation process with representative bodies in the licensed trade, businesses, public health bodies and advocacy groups, consumers and communities in relation to the proposed legislation. A public consultation, including an online survey and a request for submissions, ran from November 2021 until January 2022. More than 5,000 responses were received. These included responses from Alcohol Action Ireland; Ballymun Local Drugs and Alcohol Task Force; The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland; The Health Service Executive Alcohol Programme; Institute of Public Health; Irish Community Action on Alcohol Network and National Suicide Research Foundation.
My Department continues to have ongoing engagement with An Garda Síochána, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and other stakeholders in respect of the Bill.
In addition, a webinar and panel discussion event was held on 10 March 2022. The consultation process demonstrated that there is a strong demand for reform and modernisation of the law in this area.
In January 2023, the Bill underwent pre-legislative scrutiny. Presentations were made at this by Alcohol Action Ireland, the Institute of Public Health and the Irish Community Action on Alcohol Network made presentations to the Committee.
My Department will continue to work with all stakeholders in developing the Bill. We are committed to considering potential health impacts which these bodies have highlighted throughout this process and can assure you that public health is a factor for the Department when considering the introduction of reforms with regard to the sale of alcohol. However, the Department of Justice has no role in resourcing for emergency departments, public transport, local authority cleaning services etc.
My Department continues to engage with An Garda Síochána in relation to the Sale of Alcohol Bill to ensure that it contains a full suite of enforcement powers to meet their policing needs. The Government is committed to taking action to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. Budget 2024 provides a budget of €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána, which is a 23% increase since 2020. This is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment, facilities and vehicles.
