NEW BOOZE LAWS A ‘LICENCE TO KILL’
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DRINK awareness campaigners have warned “people will die” if new relaxed licensing laws are passed by the Government.
Ministers have already given the green light to Justice Minister Helen Mcentee to press ahead with reforms that could see 6am opening and the end of a cap on licence numbers.
It would also see a new streamlined bar licence which would allow regular pubs to open until 12.30 every night.
The issue must go through the committee process in Leinster House before it becomes law, with interest groups able to air their views.
This saw a number of groups come before TDS and Senators at the Oireachtas Justice panel last night.
A spokeswoman for Alcohol Action Ireland said: “The Sale of Alcohol Bill, if enacted as proposed, will result in increased harm and deaths.”
Its chairman Professor Frank Murray added: “Alcohol is quite different from everything else sold in retail.
“It is psychoactive, dependence-producing, and intoxicating. It is a carcinogenic, neurotoxic and teratogenic substance.
“We know alcohol is responsible for four deaths every day – a third of them from accident or incident.
“More people die from episodic [binge] drinking than other jurisdictions.
“Alongside this, hospital admission for alcohol-related liver disease increased by 262% from 1995 to 2017.”
Marie Lawless, of ICAAN (Irish Community Action on Alcohol Network) wants a special licence to be introduced for anyone who wants to supply an alcohol delivery service.
Gerry Light of the Mandate union, which represents hospitality workers, and Ann Graham, CEO of TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) told the committee they were concerned about the staff if the laws change.
He called for a special new law that would make assault of a bar worker a specific offence.
Ms Graham said later opening hours would require a major rejig of transport services to keep workers safe travelling home later.”
Alcohol is different to everything else that’s sold in retail PROFESSOR FRANK MURRAY YESTERDAY