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04/03/2004
Minister announces review of drinking laws
A review of key elements of Northern Ireland’s drinking laws was announced today by Social Development Minister, John Spellar.
The review will commence later this year, with a public consultation on detailed proposals scheduled for next year.
Key licensing issues, which have already been identified for consideration by the review, include flexible opening hours, enforcement, health promotion and provisions for the protection of children.
The Minister said: “I am aware of growing calls for a more flexible and modern licensing framework to respond to changing expectations and lifestyles. I want to strike a balance between the need to regulate the sale of alcohol in a way which is effective, enforceable and equitable and the need to have regard to wider public health issues.”
In Northern Ireland, alcohol may currently be purchased from either licensed premises under the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 or registered clubs under the Registration of Clubs (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.
These Orders seek to strike a balance between the need to control and regulate the sale of alcohol in a way, which is effective, enforceable and equitable and the need to have full regard to the wider public health issues.
Opening hours for most licensed premises are 11.30am to 11.00pm daily and on Sunday 12.30pm to 10.00pm, although off-licences may open earlier in the day. A court may grant later hours to 1.00am (12 midnight on Sunday), provided this does not cause undue inconvenience to local residents premises.
The Licensing Act 2003, which is gradually being introduced in England and Wales, aims to modernise and integrate the alcohol, public entertainment, theatre, cinema, night café and late night refreshment house licensing schemes and boost the tourist and entertainment industry. The licensing laws in Scotland are currently under review.
The NI review will subsume the scheduled examination of certain aspects of licensing law, recommended in the Government’s Drug and Alcohol Regional Action Plan, which was due to start in March 2004.
(MB)
The review will commence later this year, with a public consultation on detailed proposals scheduled for next year.
Key licensing issues, which have already been identified for consideration by the review, include flexible opening hours, enforcement, health promotion and provisions for the protection of children.
The Minister said: “I am aware of growing calls for a more flexible and modern licensing framework to respond to changing expectations and lifestyles. I want to strike a balance between the need to regulate the sale of alcohol in a way which is effective, enforceable and equitable and the need to have regard to wider public health issues.”
In Northern Ireland, alcohol may currently be purchased from either licensed premises under the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 or registered clubs under the Registration of Clubs (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.
These Orders seek to strike a balance between the need to control and regulate the sale of alcohol in a way, which is effective, enforceable and equitable and the need to have full regard to the wider public health issues.
Opening hours for most licensed premises are 11.30am to 11.00pm daily and on Sunday 12.30pm to 10.00pm, although off-licences may open earlier in the day. A court may grant later hours to 1.00am (12 midnight on Sunday), provided this does not cause undue inconvenience to local residents premises.
The Licensing Act 2003, which is gradually being introduced in England and Wales, aims to modernise and integrate the alcohol, public entertainment, theatre, cinema, night café and late night refreshment house licensing schemes and boost the tourist and entertainment industry. The licensing laws in Scotland are currently under review.
The NI review will subsume the scheduled examination of certain aspects of licensing law, recommended in the Government’s Drug and Alcohol Regional Action Plan, which was due to start in March 2004.
(MB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
