The abolition of pub closing times and the reduction of the legal drinking age to 16 are among proposals from Young Fine Gael to solve Ireland's alcohol problems.
"Prohibitionist policies" will not solve Ireland's alcohol problems, according to Fine Gael's youth wing, which will launch a new document on alcohol policy, Striking the Right Balance: Freedom to Drink vs Tackling Alcoholism, today.
The proposals, however, have not been welcomed by Fine Gael headquarters, which expressed surprise at a number of the recommendations and said they were not in line with party policy.
Among the recommendations in the Young Fine Gael document are improved education at school level, greater provision of recreational, social and sporting facilities for young people and the introduction of the type of small café bar that exists throughout the continent of Europe.
The call for set closing times for pubs to be abolished, and for the legal drinking age to be reduced to 16 for a person drinking in the company of parents or guardians, has taken party headquarters by surprise.
Describing these issues as "very sensitive", a Fine Gael spokeswoman said Young Fine Gael is an autonomous unit within the party.
"We find it very encouraging that they are addressing such serious issues as alcohol abuse among young people during their summer school this weekend. Many of the policy suggestions they are putting forward for discussion we would agree with, but regarding some of the more radical ideas, such as reducing the drinking age to 16 and abolishing closing times, the party would need a lot of persuading before adopting them. We are against them."
The Young Fine Gael recommendations are in direct conflict with the party's policy document on alcohol abuse published last year.
"The problem of alcohol-related violence has been exacerbated by the decision in 2000 to extend opening hours," the document stated.