Call for new levy on alcohol to 'contribute towards the costs of alcohol-related harms'
Measures set out in the new bill include regulations to change late-night openings for pubs and nightclubs, alongside reforms to alcohol licensing rules. Picture: Johnny Green/PA
A new levy on the alcohol industry should be introduced to contribute towards dealing with addiction and other health impacts, an Oireachtas committee has recommended.
In its pre-legislative scrutiny report into the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022, the Oireachtas justice committee recommended that the Government consider introducing the new levy to “contribute towards the costs of alcohol-related harms to the State”.
The report, which is due to be officially launched next Thursday, also calls for further child protections to be enshrined in the legislation to protect them from alcohol-related harms.
Measures set out in the new bill include regulations to change late-night openings for pubs and nightclubs, alongside reforms to alcohol licensing rules.
The legislative changes have been welcomed by the nightclub industry, but over the course of the Oireachtas hearings, concerns were raised about potential health impacts of changing licensing laws.
Speaking to the , committee chair and Fianna Fáil TD James Lawless said any levy introduced would have to focus on the larger producers and distributors, rather than smaller, craft breweries and distilleries.
Mr Lawless said the main aim of the recommendations was to “square the circle” between the differences set out in the current Public Health Alcohol Act and the proposed Sale of Alcohol Bill.
Alongside the levy, the committee recommends a social impact fund be established to resource the research and treatment of alcohol addiction. In particular, it says it should be of a similar model to the impact fund proposed by the Gambling Regulation Bill.
Additional recommendations by the committee include establishing a new statutory authority that would be responsible for reducing alcohol-related harms, as well as introducing a new system of “hybrid licenses” and “dry licenses”.
The committee also recommends that the Government consider creating temporary event licenses, similar to those that are available in the UK, to allow more flexibility in cultural events in what the report describes as “under-utilised spaces”.
These proposals would allow for legislative provisions for late-night openings of cafes, cinemas, and theatres. While this is currently permitted, the hybrid licence system would provide for alcohol to be served at certain times within cultural venues.
Mr Lawless said a significant focus has been on late-night openings for pubs and nightclubs, saying there should be more focus placed on other venues that can open late. He said there should not be a “one size fits all” plan, saying more readily available licences for other venues should be examined.
The committee also calls for further protections for those working in the pub and nightclub industry, including specific legislation to make it an offence to either abuse or mistreat bar workers.
It also recommends that the Government work to ensure there are sufficient resources and structures in place to allow for transport facilities to cover the extended opening hours.
“An examination should also take place to assess how to improve the provision of late-night public transport services, particularly in rural towns and areas throughout the country,” the report reads.
There is also a recommendation that the reforms be reviewed after a period of two to three years after they are enacted.
