McDowell to consider limiting size of pubs

The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, has said he is considering imposing a limit on the size in pubs in an effort to clamp down on binge drinking.

Speaking at a drinks-industry conference, organised by the Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society Limited, the Minister said society was facing a crisis due to excessive drinking.

The Government recently introduced the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003, which introduced stringent new regulations on the serving of alcohol and drunkenness in public places. Mr McDowell said his Department is currently working on a review of the licensing system.

Among the reviews will be changes in the way licences are issued. The Minister said he was more in favour of smaller community pubs, rather than the huge superpubs which have sprung up in recent years.

"Scarcity has created an artificial and undesirable 'market' in licences and this has led in turn to the development of very large licensed premises as owners attempt to recover their initial outlay," he said.

He cited the report from the Commission on Liquor Licensing, which said "smaller premises that are owner-occupied and managed will provide an atmosphere and ambience that encourages moderate social consumption of alcohol rather than the excessive consumption and binge drinking".

He said while the Commission did not propose imposing a statutory limit on the size of pubs, it was something he would be considering during his review of the licensing system.

Mr McDowell said the consumption of alcohol had increased by 49 per cent since 1989, leading to increased alcohol-related accidents and injuries and more violence on the streets of our cities and towns. "Drunkenness in licensed premises and in public places has also increased to unacceptable levels," he said.

He blamed a combination of factors, including the rise in disposable incomes, the lessening of parental control on young people, and a stronger focus on consumerism within society. Mr McDowell said the problem must be tackled at four levels - State, family, community and at the individual level where "self-esteem and self-respect are all important".

He insisted that he was not in favour of the "nanny state", but argued the Government had a responsibility to protect vulnerable members of society. "The State also has a duty to protect citizens from public disorder and to ensure their safety," he added.