NEW RESTRICTIONS on the sale and possession of alcohol aimed at curbing anti-social behaviour will come into force next Wednesday after Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern yesterday signed the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 into law.
The Minister said the new Act provides "stringent new powers" which will allow for more effective enforcement to deal with the consequences of alcohol abuse.
The provisions of the Act, which has been criticised by publicans, nightclub owners and entertainment industry workers, include new hours for off-licence alcohol sales and stricter conditions for late night opening hours.
Under the Act, gardaí will be permitted to seize alcohol from minors and to take drink from people if they feel there is an issue of public disorder involved.
Increased fines will also be applied to those who break the law on alcohol sales.
Publicans or off-licenses found selling alcohol to minors will face orders for closure.
There will be a court application process for those seeking a licence to sell wine.
"The act will give the Garda more power to take drink from people in public places to try and deal with some of the public disorder issues ordinary law abiding people have to put up with," Mr Ahern said.
"These new powers will therefore not only assist the gardaí in responding to, and preventing, unacceptable behaviour but they have the potential to enable the gardaí to achieve that end while reducing the time-consuming activities connected with prosecutions and court appearances."
The new law gives effect to a number of recommendations made by a Government advisory group on alcohol in March, among these were provisions to ensure the separation of alcohol from other products in supermarkets and convenience stores, which will not come into law at this point.
Mr Ahern has agreed that retailers may adopt a voluntary code in this area, but warned that he had "reserved the option" to trigger the relevant section of the act if this does not prove effective.
