Cafés to get low-cost licences to sell alcohol

THE Government yesterday stepped up its battle against binge drinking and street violence with the introduction of café-style bars.

As part of an overhaul of the liquor licensing laws, Mr McDowell is to introduce a café bar licence for establishments less than 130 square metres in size.

The licence, which was a key recommendation of the Commission on Liquor Licensing, will not be available for premises which sell “takeaway” food, such as fast-food outlets. The new-style premises must offer hot meals and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises during opening hours. The sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises would not be permitted and nor would extended opening hours.

The effects of binge drinking, ranging from hospital admissions to alcohol-fuelled crime, are estimated to cost the State €2.56 billion a year, according to the Government-appointed Strategic Task Force on Alcohol.

Although no fee has yet been set, the cost of the licences would be significantly less than those of pubs, for which the going rate is around €170,000.

Publicans, whose trade will be affected by the new licences, last night warned the proposals could backfire by increasing the amount of outlets in which alcohol is served.

However, the minister said the Government should not be frightened by the “numbers game” into avoiding any change.

“The commission’s view was that Ireland would be the better for a system which encouraged people to eat and drink at the same time rather than go to a premises which was devoted to drink only, because the present trend is to build larger and larger pubs where more and more drinking takes place,” Mr McDowell said.

He envisages giving local authorities final power to decide whether they want café bars in their areas.

The café bar licence is one of several proposals contained in the Intoxicating Liquor Bill, which replaces more than 600 licensing provisions spread across 100 statutes.

Other proposals include:

* A new streamlined District Court licensing procedure.

* A requirement to provide proof of planning permission and compliance with fire safety conditions to the District Court in order to obtain a licence.

* A new nightclub permit system.

* Strengthened provisions to combat alcohol sales to underage persons.

* A new offence of being in possession of a forged garda age card.

The bill does not propose any significant changes to opening hours, and the minister said he would not entertain demands for “staggered” closing times.

The bill goes before the Oireachtas later this year and public submissions on the document are invited.