The real cost of the Sale of Alcohol Bill to be measured in Letterkenny

This government’s pursuit of a ‘night-time economy’ that increases access to alcohol will be retrogressive for the rights and well-being of children in Ireland, according to a report published by Alcohol Forum Ireland and the Irish Community Action on Alcohol Network which will be presented to Donegal politicians on Friday of this week. 

The real cost of the Sale of Alcohol Bill event is being held on Friday, February 2 in the Public Services Centre, Letterkenny at 10am.  

Public representatives from across the county will hear about the possible repercussions the proposed Sale of Alcohol Bill could pose to children’s rights.

The Chief Executive Officer of Alcohol Forum Ireland,Paula Leonard, has said that the effects of the measures proposed in Ireland’s Sale of Alcohol Bill, including the extension of trading hours, the concentration of drinking outlets, lack of regulation of drink deliveries and the removal of limits on the number of on-licences will have a negative impact on lives of children in Ireland, particularly those living in homes where parental alcohol use is a significant issue.

“Our second expert report on the Government’s Sale of Alcohol Bill highlights that it is likely to pose significant risks to the rights of children in Ireland, particularly the most vulnerable children. When alcohol consumption becomes the core focus of developing our night time economy, as reflected in the proposed Sale of Alcohol Bill, the economic benefits can come at an enormous cost.”     

This second expert report follows the publication of a cost and benefit analysis report by global expert, Professor Tom Babor in May of this year that concluded that the major changes proposed in the Sale of Alcohol Bill are likely to facilitate epidemics of binge drinking that have major implications for public health and social well-being.    

The meeting which has been organised by Senators, TD’s and Councillors this Friday in Letterkenny is the fifth in a series of political briefings organised by the charity to outline concerns and demand that political representatives take action to ensure that the provisions of the Bill are amended to better protect public health and the rights of children.  

The Donegal briefing will also, however, include inputs from local researchers who have been examining different aspects of the proposed legislation.

Dr Grainne Ketelaar has undertaken research on the risks associated with the operation of under 18s events in adult night club venues. Her forthcoming report highlights serious concerns about the operation of these events and makes a series of recommendations about what changes could be included in the legislation to ensure improved supervision at and regulation of these events, including the introduction of improved child safeguarding measures.   

Speaking ahead of Friday’s event she said: ‘Every teenage disco runs a high risk of very serious life changing experiences happening for young people  - they are happening already.” 

A Masters research student in the ATU from west Donegal, Belinda Boyle, who has been studying the risk in unregulated drink delivery services both nationally and locally here in the county said that she too is concerned that the new legislation is missing the opportunity to ensure better and much needed regulation of these services: “The world has moved to one that is immersed in technology and easy access to products and services. The failure of the SAB to adequately regulate alcohol delivery services demonstrates a lack of awareness by the legislatures regarding modern shopping and consumption trends and the subsequent harms.”

Paula Leonard of Alcohol Forum Ireland said she is acutely concerned that Government are simply ploughing ahead with this legislation, despite growing expert evidence that it needs significant amendment. “Public health and children’s rights experts are in agreement that this legislation, in its current form, will have serious negative consequences, the impact of which will be felt for generations.  The HSE were also clear in the submission to the Department of Health, that the health service is not set up to cope with the increased pressure the legislation will place on health and hospital services arising from an inevitable increase in assaults and injuries linked to longer opening hours and more venues selling alcohol.  But it’s not just the experts that are concerned, when we did a REDC poll, 51% agreed that ‘extending the hours at which alcohol can be sold, in pubs, late bars and nightclubs, will have a negative impact on public health, public safety and public order.  So, the question to Minister McEntee and to Government is, whose interests are being served here?’   

“This is a large and significant piece of legislation and this new report which lays bare the risks it poses to the rights of children must be given attention by all of our politicians. We are calling on our Donegal representatives to attend this briefing on Friday and hear our concerns.”