SEANAD REPORT: A proposed amendment to pub licensing laws provided that a licensee could set a minimum age for the sale and consumption of alcohol above the statutory minimum of 18, as long as the policy was publicly displayed and implemented in a non-discriminatory manner, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr McDowell, said.
"These age limits will not be enforced by the gardaí since the statutory limit will remain at 18. However, a person who has grounds for believing that a licensee does not operate the policy in a fair and non-discriminatory manner may seek redress before the District Court."
The Minister was speaking in the debate on the Intoxicating Liquor Bill, which passed the second stage.
Outlining the contents of the Bill, which is intended to clamp down on abuses in the sale of alcohol, the Minister said one of its provisions required that a person engaging in disorderly conduct must leave the premises on being requested to do so by the licensee or a garda and should not re-enter the bar within a period of 24 hours.
Referring to Opposition calls for a limitation on night opening hours on Friday and Saturdays, the Minister said he believed that the proposed limitation to 11.30 p.m. on Thursdays was sufficient for the moment.