Publicans warn proposals may be too restrictive

Plans to introduce small owner-run pubs in a bid to stamp out binge-drinking may be too restrictive, publicans warned today.

Special new licences for smaller “cafe-style” bars might not be economically viable, they said.

The idea was put to the Government as part of a raft of more than 100 measures aimed at cutting excessive drinking.

Frank Sell, chief executive of the Licensed Vintners’ Federation, said that although he welcomed the majority of the proposals the size of the recommended pubs might not be realistic in a place like Dublin.

The Commission on Liquor Licensing – set up to examine the growing alcohol problems facing Irish society – warned that drinking had increased significantly in the Republic during the past decade.

Today, in its final report, the commission recommended a move towards Continental-style cafe bars, where people were less likely to binge drink.

It proposed an end to late opening on Thursday nights, and said publicans should have the right to refuse entry to people under the age of 18, even if they were not drinking alcohol.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell said he welcomed the majority of the 130 proposals and would now consider how to put them into legislation.

The Commission’s proposals include:

:: Introducing a new “small premises” licence for new entrants to the pub trade. This would encourage moderate social consumption of alcohol rather than excessive binge drinking.

:: Encouraging cafe-style bars where a person could drink a cup of coffee alongside others who choose to drink a pint of beer or a glass of wine.

:: Closing pubs earlier on Thursday nights, with pubs closing at 11.30pm instead of 12.30am.

:: Banning entertainment during drinking-up time.

:: Allowing pubs to refuse entry to 15 to 17-year-olds after 7pm, and enforcing an identity card system.

:: Repealing the law which allows drunkenness as a viable defence in public order cases.

:: Giving police the right to object to the renewal of licences of pubs or clubs that promote excessive drinking.

:: Allowing off-licences and supermarkets to sell alcohol on Sunday mornings.

:: Giving local authorities a say in how late pubs and nightclubs in their areas stay open.

Mr McDowell said the recommendations for reform were “compelling“, adding that some would be considered more urgently than others.

A move towards cafe-style bars would be greatly encouraged.

“A coffee drinker should be able to sit next to someone having a beer and it should not have to turn into a whole afternoon’s drinking,” he said.

He particularly welcomed the move towards smaller premises, which he said would encourage moderate social consumption rather than binge drinking.

“While existing restrictions have served to control the number of premises, they have contributed to the development of very large drinking establishments which create noise and nuisance for local residents and make compliance with and enforcement of the licensing laws much more difficult,” he said.

He told reporters in Dublin that he agreed “wholeheartedly” with plans to withdraw licences of licensees who allowed underage drinking in their pubs.

Liquor Licensing Commission chairman Gordon Holmes said he was particularly anxious to stop the trend for nights where punters paid a one-off fee on the door and then drank all they could.

“It’s a recipe for disaster and needs to be stopped,” he said.

Today’s report was the fourth and final document the Commission has delivered to the Government.

Mr McDowell said measures which would cut drunken disorder should be looked at “as a matter of urgency“.

Those recommendations – made in an earlier report – would be prioritised, and that he would then move on to today’s proposals.