Industry reps ‘must be limited’ on licensing body

THE Government must limit the number of industry representatives on the new expert body to review the alcohol licensing system, a leading expert said yesterday.

Dr Joe Barry, a member of the Department of Health’s Strategic Task Force on Alcohol, said plans by Justice Minister Brian Lenihan to tighten up regulation on the area could only be done if membership of the commission was broadened.

Nine of the 22 members of the first Commission on Liquor Licensing were drawn from the drinks and food industry, while two were from the competition sector. There was only one representative from the health area, which was the Department of Health, and one from the youth area.