THE GOVERNMENT chose not to adopt a number of key proposals from the Alcohol Advisory Group which it established earlier this year, it emerged yesterday.
Among the group's proposals that were not accepted include proposals to increase the minimum age for selling alcohol in off-licences to 21 years, introduce limits on the opening hours of fast-food outlets and regulate alcohol-related advertising.
Mr Lenihan said yesterday that some measures had not necessarily been ruled out and could be considered again at a later stage.
On the issue of raising the minimum of age for selling alcohol in off-licences to 21, the report expresses concern that staff below this age may be unwilling or unable to challenge young customers to produce adequate identification and proof of age.
Mr Lenihan said yesterday such a measure would be inconsistent given that young people were allowed marry and vote at the age 18. However, he said the proposal had not been definitively ruled out.
The report also recommended that closing times of fast-food outlets and other non-licensed premises be regulated. This is as a result of some outlets becoming a source of anti-social behaviour.
The report says such a measure could be brought into force by regulation through the Local Government Act (2001). Mr Lenihan said that while the issue had not been adopted, it would be taken up by the Department of the Environment.
The Irish Timesunderstands that the advisory group also suggested introducing fines for people who end up in accident and emergency units as a result of intoxication, although this was not contained in the final report.
