'Binge promotions' may hit pub licences

Gardai may use publicans' use of promotions which encourage binge drinking as grounds to object to the renewal of their pub licences.

The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, and Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, will consider the possibility of developing a "clear national policy" to oppose the renewal of licences "where publicans participate in promotions likely to encourage binge drinking", Mr McDowell said.

He expects to have Government approval by Easter for amending legislation to introduce stronger penalties to combat drunkenness and the sale of alcohol to anyone who is drunk.

The manager of a Co Dublin pub which has begun a monthly "all you can drink" promotion believes, however, that legislation which would prevent alcohol promotions could be "anti-competitive and close to censorship".

Mr Gary McAree, manager of the Madhatter Pub in Blackrock, Co Dublin, said they had discussed the promotion with the Garda because "they weren't happy about it" and had made adjustments. These included limiting to two the number of drinks a customer got at any one time.

He insisted that the pub was not encouraging people to get so drunk that they don't know what they're doing.

The premises has received a lot of criticism and media coverage over the covercharge of €40 for men and €25 for women for all they can drink.

Mr McAree said the pub wanted to "encourage people to drink in the village in a secure, relaxed atmosphere", and there had been no trouble and people were not drinking 10 or more pints a night.

The Minister's comments about the renewal of licences came in a reply to a parliamentary question last week from Dublin Labour TD Dr Mary Upton.

Mr McDowell has stated his intention to take a "much tougher attitude" to publicans allowing drunkenness, and Dr Upton asked what proposals he was considering "to regulate the practice of some publicans in charging an admittance price and then allowing customers limitless drink".

The Minister said that practices that were "conducive to" or resulted in "excessive consumption of alcohol" were "irresponsible and unacceptable".

He added that "practices of this nature may provide adequate grounds for the Garda or other interested parties to lodge objections to the renewal of licences of the premises concerned".

The GAA has set up a sub-committee to review the sponsorship of its games by drinks companies. The move, announced by the association's president, Mr Sean McCague, at a weekend Central Council meeting in Croke Park, casts doubt on Guinness's future involvement with the all-Ireland hurling championship, and follows criticism of such sponsorship by the Minister for Health, Mr Martin.