The Government is, at last, poised to overhaul some of the most absurd licensing laws in the western world. Under proposals which will go to Cabinet shortly, pubs will remain open until 1 a.m. and the anomaly between closing time in summer and winter will be removed. The case for a radical overhaul of our licensing laws - many of whose statutes date from the Victorian era - is clearcut. The existing laws, which reflect a more paternalistic approach of a bygone era, have, increasingly, grown out of kilter with the needs of modern Irish society and the tourist sector. They are also, to a considerable degree, in disrepute. The fact that some 65,000 applications are made annually for so-called "special-exemptions" indicates the degree to which the law is inadequate. Inevitably, concerns will be raised that an extension in licensing hours will promote still more widespread drunkenness, dangerous driving, teenage drinking and alcohol-induced vandalism. As it is, alcohol-related illness and absenteeism place a great burden on individual families and on society. And every weekend appears to bring its own share of carnage on the roads as a result of drink-driving.
But support for more liberal licensing laws does not imply support for greater consumption of alcohol. On the contrary, there are grounds for optimism that more relaxed licensing hours will see drinkers enjoying their drink at a more leisurely pace - as they have done for generations across Europe. In any case, there is already no shortage of pubs, nightclubs and the like where one can drink into the early hours. In practical terms, the proposed changes will merely bring some kind of order on the current chaos. As for teenage-drinking, the kernel of the issue is access to pubs, not the licensing hours; it is to hoped that the new national identity card scheme - to be introduced by the end of next month - will help to counter this problem.
From the reports to date, it appears that the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, is intent on a fairly modest review of the licensing laws; the extension of closing time to 1 a.m. and the possible abolition of the "holy hour" on Sundays. If this is all that is proposed it will represent a missed opportunity. Last year's report by the Competition Authority made a persuasive case for a much more radical approach, with the repeal of the prohibition on the granting of new licences and free entry to the pub market, subject only to checks on the suitability of the applicant and premises and compliance with fire, safety, health and planning regulations.
There is more that can be done. The costly restrictions which can prevent restaurants from gaining a full licence are ludicrous and embarrassing. Other regulations which can make it difficult for convenience stores to sell beer and spirits are a throwback to an earlier age. As it is, it appears that the new measures comply with the wishes of the Licensed Vintners Association but go no further. Mr O'Donoghue may be anxious to declare a brave new world for drinkers - but this may yet be another case of this Government failing to face down a vested interest.