Café bars ‘won’t increase alcohol use’

GOVERNMENT proposals to license café bars to sell alcohol will not increase its consumption, Justice Minister Michael McDowell argued yesterday.

The controversial licences, which will apply to small premises serving hot food, are strongly opposed by publicans and those concerned that the measure will worsen binge drinking.

In a robust defence of his plan to increase the number of outlets licensed to sell alcohol, Mr McDowell said it did not necessarily equate to more problems with drink.