Child pub ban to be made law

ALLOWING children to be in a pub after nine o’clock will be illegal in a fortnight. The next batch of regulations under the new liquor licensing laws comes into effect on September 29.

From that date, under 18s will not be allowed on a licensed premises after 9pm, unless they are attending a private function where a meal is being served, allowing for family parties or private events.

Pub owners will also have the discretion to exclude under 18s from the bar at any time of the day.

Children under 15 can also be kept out of a pub if it appears to the publican that the length of their stay could be regarded as injurious to the health, safety or welfare of the child.

That deadline will also see the closing time on a Thursday night brought back to 11.30pm, under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003.

Also, anyone between 18 and 20 will have to carry identification to get into a pub.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell’s controversial changes to the Equal Status Act will also kick in, meaning jurisdiction in certain discrimination cases in pubs and hotels will transfer from the Equality Authority to the District Court.

Last month, the majority of the action plan to crackdown on alcohol abuse came into effect. From August 18, people trying to enter a pub while drunk could be fined up to 300, happy hour promotions were banned and gardaí were given new powers of arrest.

Mr McDowell said the Intoxicating Liquor Act demonstrated the Government’s determination to urgently address the public order and public health worries arising from excessive alcohol consumption.

Denying that the latest batch of regulations were anti-family or will damage the tourism industry, Mr McDowell said they were designed to deal with problems of drunkenness and disorderly conduct and to combat the underage and binge drinking.

Mr McDowell also pointed out his proposals were all in line with the recommendations of the Commission on Liquor Licensing and the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol.

All the licensing laws will be brought together by the Government in a bill to be published next summer.