Legislation to tackle alcohol abuse will be published within a month and the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, hopes that, with the co-operation of the Opposition parties, it will become law before the Dáil rises for the summer recess.
At the same time, the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, is preparing legislation aimed at counteracting under-aged drinking by controlling alcohol advertising as it affects sports sponsorship, marketing and promotions. The sudden flurry of activity follows long-standing commitments by the Coalition Government to tackle alcohol abuse at all levels of society.
The consequences of excessive drinking are visible late at night on the streets of our cities, towns and villages. They are reflected in crowded accident and emergency wards in hospitals and, all too frequently, victims of alcohol-related violence end up on mortuary slabs. The rise in alcohol consumption was facilitated by longer pub opening hours, introduced some years ago, and it has been reinforced by extensive advertising and promotional campaigns.
The promised legislation will make it illegal for young people under the age of 18 years to be present in a bar after 8 p.m. And persons under 21 years of age will have to carry an "evidence of age" document. At the same time, offences and penalties are being created in relation to the sale of alcohol by publicans to intoxicated persons. It will also become an offence for an intoxicated person to enter a bar and to seek to purchase alcohol. In such cases, evidence concerning breaches of the law can be given by plain clothes members of the Garda Síochána. And pubs and nightclubs can be closed down if they are shown to have sold drink to under-aged persons.
The closing time for pubs on Thursday night will be brought back to 11.30 p.m. And a ban will be imposed on entertainment during drinking-up time. Local authorities will be encouraged to influence the granting of special exemption orders in their areas. And a ban will be imposed on so-called "Happy Hours" and on "drink all you can" promotions in licensed premises.
The passage of this legislation will not, of itself, deal with Ireland's growing problem of alcohol misuse. But it will help. And it may encourage adults and parents to behave in a more socially responsible manner. In the 10 years between 1989 and 1999, as our society became suddenly wealthy, the consumption of alcohol increased by 41 per cent and we rose to the top of the European league. This change has been reflected right across society. As adults consumed more, their children followed suit. Heavy drinking became the norm.
Two-thirds of boys and 50 per cent of girls in the 15-16 age group now "binge-drink". But, as Dr Shane Butler of the Addiction Studies Centre at Trinity College remarked last weekend, it is quite hypocritical for adult society to preach about children's drinking habits. We all need to look into our hearts and, if required, modify our behaviour.