AFTER ALL the huffing and puffing about the damage being caused to society by excessive alcohol consumption and under-aged drinking, the Government's response has been disappointing. A draft Intoxicating Liquor Bill circulated yesterday represents little more than a levelling of the commercial playing pitch in favour of publicans, with some strengthening of Garda powers in relation to under-aged drinking.
At a time when nearly half of all murders and manslaughters in the State are alcohol-related and one-third of road deaths are similarly influenced, a more robust response would be expected. But this Government, which relaxed the licensing laws eight years ago, appears unwilling to acknowledge its past miscalculation and confront what has become endemic alcohol abuse in a forceful way.
The influence of the drinks industry is pervasive. And publicans, whose share of alcohol sales has been declining, will receive some comfort from measures designed to reduce the advantages of their competitors. Opening hours in convenience stores, supermarkets and off-licences will be slightly reduced and special areas required for alcohol sales. Reform of theatre and nightclub requirements and special exemption licences are proposed. CCTV cameras may be required at some outlets. And Garda powers to secure evidence of sales to minors, seize drink and make arrests will be increased.
There are positive elements in the draft legislation. But the broader problems, which revolve about an excessive use of alcohol by society as a whole, are not being addressed. All optional commodities are price sensitive. The Government, however, has not raised excise duties on beer in more than a decade while the tax on spirits was last increased in 2002.
A dramatic shift has been under way in consumer behaviour, with more people drinking at home. Off sales now account for 40 per cent of consumption and "special offers" have become an established part of the business. In future, however, the sale of several containers at a special price will be outlawed, in spite of Competition Authority reservations. An effective ban on below-cost selling would, it submitted, simply increase profits for all concerned. Why not raise taxes on alcohol?
New laws are of little use without effective enforcement. Gardaí are struggling. The Alcohol Advisory Group suggested that drink containers should be labelled with point of sale details to help identify those anti-social outlets that supplied under-aged drinkers. The idea does not appear to have caught on. What a pity.