Madam, - Your Editorial of August 12th on the ban on children in pubs after 9 p.m. may give life to a story that is little more than silly season speculation.
It is no surprise that members of the hospitality industry should use the combination of the tourist season and the shortage of news at this time of year to promote its interests - selling more alcohol and making more profit. That is their legitimate concern.
However, the Government must take a broader view of all interests involved.
Last year Barnardos sought and received commitments from each of the six main political parties that they would always put the interest of children and young people above all other interests - especially those of the drinks industry - when making alcohol policy. While some Ministers have clearly been "got at" by the industry, Barnardos remains confident that the parties will honour their commitments.
To relax the current ban on children in pubs after 9 p.m. may enhance the profits of the drinks industry, but who can argue that it is in the interest of children and young people to be on licensed premises until 10:30 p.m? Yet, in asserting that the vintners and tourism sector "deserve a fair hearing", you are showing the same ambivalence about alcohol that you have ascribed to the public in the past.
Ireland either has a problem with alcohol or it does not. Official figures on drinking suggest it does, and this is borne out by Barnardos' experience of the effects of adult alcohol abuse on young lives and the incidence of underage drinking.
It is simply not possible to reduce consumption whilst supporting the maintenance of, or a further increase in, the industry's profits. But the hospitality industry - particularly those hotels which are marketed as family-friendly - could try to be more creative in offering social programmes for families while remaining within the law as it stands.
Otherwise, we will continue to socialise our children all too effectively in the "necessity" for entertainment always to be accompanied by alcohol. - Yours, etc.,
OWEN KEENAN,
Chief Executive,
Barnardos,
Dublin 8.