Early pubs exempted from new drink laws

The Government has given a pardon to existing "early houses" under tough anti-drink legislation, it has been revealed.

However, after May 30, 2008, pubs will not be allowed to apply for special exemption orders to serve alcohol in the early morning.

Early houses, which have been in place in Ireland since the 1920s, were originally intended to provide refreshments for sailors docking at unsociable hours or traders travelling long distances to markets.

However, experts believe modern society has rendered them obsolete and they are regularly used by problem drinkers or late night revellers on their way home.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern last night told the Dáil he had talks with the Garda Commissioner and publicans' representatives on the controversial issue last week.

"I am disposed to allowing premises already availing of such orders to continue to apply for them in the normal way," he said.

"However no general exemption order shall be granted for premises unless such an order was in place on May 30, 2008, ie the date of publication of the Bill."

Mr Ahern admitted that the Government Alcohol Advisory Group considered early houses to be redundant and recommended their abolition.

The sweeping Intoxicating Liquor Act also allows gardaí to seize alcohol if they believe it is likely to cause a breach of the peace in a public area.

The legislation will also permit officers to send underage youths into pubs and off-licences to attempt to buy alcohol.

"Test purchasing will apply to all categories of licensed premised and is intended to assist the gardaí in their efforts to combat underage consumption of alcohol," Mr Ahern said.

Introducing the second stage of the Bill, Mr Ahern said law reform was urgently needed to tackle public disorder and alcohol-related incidents in Ireland.

Each Irish person aged 15 years or more drinks an average of 20.8 standards units per week, compared to the recommended 14 units for women and 21 for men, he said.

A recent HSE report found that 28% of A&E injuries are alcohol-related and intoxication was also a contributory factor in 36% of all fatal traffic collisions.

Alcohol is involved in a quarter of all severe domestic abuse cases, Mr Ahern told the Dáil.

A 2007 Eurobarometer survey on binge drinking found that 34% of Irish drinkers consumed five or more drinks in one sitting compared with the EU average of 10%.