Latest changes in Irish alcohol laws

[Nature Boy]

The new law proposed by the government provides for the following:
*Off-sales of alcohol will be permitted only between 10:30 a.m. (7:30 a.m. at present) and 10 p.m.
*Wine off-licenses, which may be obtained at present directly from the Revenue Commissioners, will in future require a district court certificate (which means local people will be able to object if there are problems).
*In future, alcohol products must be displayed and sold in supermarkets, convenience stores, etc. in a specified area (at the moment displays of wine and beer are all over the shops) which is structurally separated from the rest of the premises. Where separation is not possible, alcohol products must be displayed and sold from behind a counter. The aim is to reduce visibility and accessibility.
*Test purchasing of alcohol products will be introduced (the minister says that the Gardai (police) will hire teenagers to go into outlets to buy booze and test whether the age restrictions are being obeyed).
*All nightclubs and late bars will now have to provide CCTV systems.
*Late licenses for bars and clubs will be limited, with all extensions beyond normal pub hours now to be granted in the District Courts.
*The Gardai will now be able to take any bottle or can which may contain alcohol from a person who appears to be under 18.
*The Gardai will be able to take bottles or cans from anyone on the street when there is a risk of public disorder.
*Promotions (like two for the price of one sales) of alcohol will be banned.

I mentioned this in another thread and thought it may have been deserving of its own thread. We have a few Irish members here at D-F so I would like to hear some opinions on this.


The first rule strikes me as largely ineffective. The former closing time for off-licenses was 11.30pm. I don't see how closing them up earlier will change anything. People will buy their alcohol earlier hence they'll start drinking earlier. Is that what the government really wants?


The second rule seems fishy. The objections of local people in regards to alcohol sales in their area could result in a lot of local businesses losing money. All it takes is a few busy bodies prying in and you lose your license. I'd almost compare it to the tough restrictions on Dutch coffeeshops introduced by the Christian Right.


Segregating alcohol into separate areas in supermarkets is pointless. This seems like a needless measure that gives the illusion of action when it won't actually change matters at all. People will still know where the booze is and they'll still buy it. If anything, this rule is just a nuisance to someone who runs a supermarket.


Test purchasing is snakey but most employees check for ID anyway so it shouldn't produce too many problems (unless the gardaí choose 17 year-olds that look like they're in their 30s). SWIM still gets asked for ID on occasion and he's nearly 23.


The new powers available to the gardaí in regards to confiscating alcohol seems extremely loose. It's all down to their discretion, law enforcement discretion being something I don't have a lot of faith in. Your alcohol can be ceased if you just look young? That's fucked up.


I'm not surprised they're clamping down on drinks promotions. It seems as though the government are dead-set on removing any sort of bargains from the alcohol industry. Fully priced drinks all the time, no happy hours, no drinks on the house. Goodbye fun.