Irish society's inability to enjoy alcohol in a mature manner is reflected in high rates of teenage and binge drinking, in fatal road accident statistics and in hospital casualty departments.
The Government's approach to this problem has been a pro-active one: it has provided for heavy fines and the closure of licensed premises where publicans sell alcohol to intoxicated persons, permit drunkenness on their premises or contribute to public disorder; it has banned happy hour promotions; and it has reduced opening hours. These restrictions enjoy broad support from a community all too familiar with gross drunkenness and mindless violence when people spill onto the streets after closing time.
Another element of the same alcohol-related legislation - the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2003 - is a ban on persons under 18 years-of-age from the bar area of licensed premises after 9 p.m. This includes clubhouses, pubs and hotels. The only exception is when there is a private function taking place at which a substantial meal is served. This is the first tourism season since the prohibition came into effect last September and the vintner, hotel and tourism sectors are complaining bitterly about the impact on the family tourism market. By crying wolf in the run-up to the introduction of the smoking ban, vintners undermined their own credibility. But, in this instance, momentum appears to be gathering.
The Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, is dubious as to whether the 9 p.m. cut-off is having a negative impact on business but he has acknowledged that there might be room for manoeuvre. The Minister for Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue, is believed to favour a change and has conveyed industry concerns to the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell. The latter has no current proposals to relax the ban but is said to be willing to consider viable alternatives. The purpose of the prohibition is to reduce underage drinking - with the absolute ban on children obviating the difficulties faced by publicans in trying to identify underage drinkers.
The issue is a sensitive one. Proponents of the ban argue that the presence of children on licensed premises after 9 p.m. serves to steep them in a drink culture. However, opponents of the ban contend that food and music are now an integral part of the offering at most licensed premises, allowing children to witness alcohol being enjoyed in a civilised manner more typical of our European neighbours. 9 p.m. is viewed as an unnecessarily early cut-off - especially during the holiday season and when applied to family events such as birthday parties. And responsible parents are being unduly penalised by being forced back to hotel bedrooms at 9 p.m.
Given the trail of human suffering caused by alcohol abuse, there is a compelling case for a time limit by which children must leave a licensed premises. However, in their efforts to have the current limit extended - perhaps to 10 p.m. or 10.30 p.m. during the summer months - vintners and tourism interests deserve a fair hearing.