Donnelly raised health concerns over licensing law changes but says ‘right balance’ was struck

The “significant concerns” that public health officials have about the easing of licensing laws for pubs and nightclubs was raised at Cabinet, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said.

However, Mr Donnelly said that he believes the Government has struck “the right balance” between modernising Ireland’s licensing laws and addressing health issues that could arise.

Under the proposals brought forward by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, nightclubs would be able to apply to stay open until 6am while all pubs would also be allowed to remain open until 12.30am seven days a week.

There have been concerns within the Department of Health about the plans for longer opening hours for pubs and nightclubs.

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Separately, on Thursday the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said there is a link between access to alcohol through licensing and acute intoxication or chronic heath problems

Speaking to reporters in Dublin, Mr Donnelly insisted that he raised his Department’s concerns with other ministers but also stood over the decision to ease the licensing laws.

There is a lot of work taking place to target harmful and disruptive drinking, he said, citing the introduction of minimum unit pricing and restrictions on advertising.

In changing the licensing laws, Mr Donnelly said the Government had to find a balance between public health and supporting the night-time economy, a sector that suffered badly during Covid-19 restrictions.

“My view and government’s view is we have the right balance,” he said.

He said he could not say exactly what was discussed at the Cabinet meeting that approved the plans to bring in the new licensing laws.

“What I can say is, I did raise the fact that the public health team within the Department of Health have significant concerns...

“I did raise that.”

He added: “My observations were that we have the balance right” but that measures aimed at tackling harmful drinking must continue to be pursued.

Asked if there is an expectation that drug use will increase when the licensing laws come in, Mr Donnelly said: “Other countries manage to open their licensed premises longer.

“I think we have to have a little bit of faith in the Irish people.”

He said some of Ireland laws in the area have been in place since before 1800 and “we do need modern licensing laws.

“People do need to be able to get on and live their life and obviously, from a public health perspective we will make sure that the supports are in place.”