Binge Boozing Prompts Licensing Law Review

Booze legislation is to be the subject of an inquiry on foot of growing concerns over Irish drinking problems, especially 'binge drinking'.

The government has decided to establish an advisory group to examine the law governing the sale and consumption of alcohol.

The decision was announced by the Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform, Brian Lenihan, who put forward the original proposal.

Mr Lenihan said there was a problem with binge drinking in Ireland which was adding to the problem of public disorder.

The group will hold its first meeting within two weeks and will then report to Minister Lenihan by 31 March.

The new group will examine the increase in the number of licences in supermarkets, convenience stories and petrol stations and their below cost selling and special promotion of alcohol.

It will also look at the increasing number of special exemption orders allowing longer opening hours in licensed premises around the country.

In addition the group plans to investigate the effectiveness of existing penalties, aimed at combating excessive and under-age alcohol consumption.

Research shows there has been a 17% increase in alcohol consumption over the past decade, and a 35% increase in the number of off-licences between 2003 and 2005.

Mr Lenihan said he was determined to tackle, as a matter of urgency, the public order aspects of the sale and consumption of alcohol.

He said he intended to bring forward urgent proposals for changes in the law after the group reports back to him and hopes to enact new legislation before the summer.

(BMcC)