News Release Page Title

4 March 2004

SPELLAR ANNOUNCES REVIEW OF DRINKING LAWS

A review of key elements of Northern Ireland’s liquor licensing laws was announced today by John Spellar MP, the Minister with responsibility for Social Development.

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."

The Minister concluded: "I want to see a wide-ranging, open and transparent debate on this topic over the coming months."

NOTES TO EDITORS
  1. 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.

  2. 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. The administration and enforcement of the licensing system rests with the courts and the police.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

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