PUBLICANS FACE LICENCE LOSS OVER UNDER-AGE DRINKING LAW

PUBLICANS came a step closer to losing their licences for serving under-age
customers last night, when new measures to tackle the problem were announced
by the Government. They will no longer be able to plead ignorance and say
they were unaware of the age of a customer, following a change in the law to
be introduced later this year by Justice Minister John O'Donoghue.

For the first time, identification will be mandatory in licensed premises,
as publicans will not be entitled to defend themselves by saying they had a
reasonable doubt the customer they served was under age.

A voluntary national age card will also become available for anyone over 18
years in May. Minister O'Donoghue said these cards will use the latest
security in manufacture, preventing large-scale forging.

Those found serving under-age patrons can be fined up to IEP300 for a first
and up to IEP500 for a second offence. A judge can decide to endorse a
licence for either offence. A third offence will result in licence
endorsement.

A Department of Justice spokesperson said there are no plans to increase
these punishments.

The new developments were welcomed by the pub industry. Vintners Federation
of Ireland president John Mansworth said: "It is a positive move and we are
100% behind it. The abolition of reasonable doubt makes identification
mandatory, which we have wanted for the past ten years."

However, the threat of forging a card still exists, considering the
development of home electronics in the recent past.

Whilst welcoming the initiative, the National Youth Council said making ID
cards a necessity is only part of the solution to a widespread and complex
problem.

A spokesperson for the Department said the removal of reasonable doubt
places the complete onus on the publican to ask for proof of age. However,
he did agree this was only the first step in a long process. "The Department
believe the system is as secure as possible, but naturally enough, if it is
not found to be working, we will have to look at another way to curb the
problem somewhere down the line," the spokesperson said.