Lenihan announces new Initiative on Alcohol

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr Brian Lenihan T.D., announced today that the Government has approved his proposal to establish an Advisory Group to urgently examine key aspects of the law governing the sale and consumption of alcohol.

Membership of the Advisory Group, which will hold its first meeting within a fortnight, will report to the Minister by 31 March 2008. The membership is as follows:

· Dr Gordon Holmes (Chair);
· Chief Superintendent John Twomey, An Garda Síochána;
· Professor Ian O'Donnell, Criminologist, University College Dublin;
· Dr Declan Bedford, Specialist in Public Health, Health Services Executive;
· Mr Seamus Carroll, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and
· Mr Robbie Breen, Department of Health and Children.

The issues of concern to be examined by the Advisory Group are:

· the increase in the number of supermarkets, convenience stores and petrol stations with off-licences and the manner and conditions of sale of alcohol products in such outlets, including below unit-cost selling and special promotions;

· the increasing number of special exemption orders which permit longer opening hours which are being obtained by licensed premises around the country; and

· the use, adequacy and effectiveness of existing sanctions and penalties, particularly those directed towards combating excessive and under-age alcohol consumption.

Recently published figures show there has been a 17% increase in alcohol consumption over the past ten years and the latest figures available show a 35% increase in the number of off-licences from 2003 to 2005.

Making the announcement, Minister Lenihan said: "We have a problem with binge drinking in this country and it is clear that this problem is adding to public disorder. I am determined to tackle, as a matter of urgency, the public order aspects of the sale and consumption of alcohol. I have asked the Group to report to me by 31 March 2008 and I intend to bring forward after Easter urgent proposals for changes in the law with a view to enacting new legislation before the summer. I hope to frame my proposals in a manner which will attract bipartisan support.

The Government shares the growing national concern about public order problems resulting from binge drinking and that is why we are taking this action now."

Minister Lenihan said work would also continue in parallel with this new initiative on the drafting of a comprehensive Sale of Alcohol Bill which is already included in the Government Legislation Programme for 2008. This Bill will modernise and streamline the laws relating to the sale and consumption of alcohol by repealing the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2004, as well as the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2004, and replacing them with updated provisions.

9 January 2008