Review of pub hours after public order worry

EXTENDED pub opening hours are to be officially reexamined just over two years since their introduction.

Amid continuing concern about increased street violence and other public order problems, the Government’s Commission on Liquor Licensing is to begin a review of opening hours for pubs, nightclubs, off-licences and other establishments.

Commission chairman and solicitor Gordon Holmes is seeking written submissions on the issue by the end of the month.

The review comes amid confusion about the official attitude to the extensions.

In its last interim report in July, the commission stated that, since new opening and closing times were introduced as recently as July 2000, there was little point in revisiting the issue.

However, the report also pledged to return to the topic in preparation of a final general report on alcohol sale.

Officials yesterday indicated that the review was part of that remit.

It is also understood that concern about street violence and other problems will be a major factor in the review.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell has repeatedly promised tough action on the problems, including giving the gardaí extra powers under the new Criminal Justice Public Order Bill 2002.

“Regrettably, there has been a steady increase since 1995 in domestic violence, assaults and public order offences related to the misuse of alcohol,” Mr McDowell said.

“I am particularly concerned about the recent increase in drunkenness in public places among teenagers,” he said when the interim report was published in July.

The report also noted that the new hours for pubs, with three separate closing times in the week, gave rise to confusion and suggested applying one closing time of midnight all week.

It stated that allowing a free-for-all where publicans choose when to open or close would not suit Irish people’s drinking patterns.

Since July 2000, pubs close at 12.30am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11pm on Sunday, and at 11.30pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Much concern about public disorder has focused on the later opening hours of night clubs.

The commission has set up an hours-of-trading sub-committee drawn from its members.

These include Seamus Carroll, of the Justice Department; John Douglas, of bar workers’ union MANDATE; Frank Fell, of Dublin publicans’ organisation LVA; and Director of Consumer Affairs, Carmel Foley. Submissions should be sent to the Secretary, Commission on Liquor Licensing, Clifton Mews, Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2, by November 28.