Voluntary age cards to curb under-age drinking
Members asked when a voluntary age-card scheme would be introduced and whether the Greystones scheme would be replicated. The Minister said regulations were under consideration, but he wanted to assess other controls in the 1988 Act and was monitoring the situation; he was aware of the Greystones scheme.
asked the Minister for Justice when it is proposed to introduce the provision contained in the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988 for the introduction of identity cards on a voluntary basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
25.
Comment on this
asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to a scheme in operation in Greystones, County Wicklow which involves the use of identification cards to curb under-age drinking in the town and which is being administered in consultation with the Garda Síochána; if he will undertake to introduce a similar scheme as provided for in the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Comment on this
I propose to take Priority Question No. 3 and Question No. 25 together.
The question of providing a national voluntary age card scheme for the purposes of the Licensing Acts, which I am empowered to do by regulations under section 40 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988, is under consideration. However, before deciding on the precise nature of any age card regulations, I consider it desirable to observe the impact of the many other controls on under-age drinking in the Act. I am monitoring the situation closely.
I am aware of the identification card scheme being operated in Greystones. It seems to me to be a model which could be followed with benefit in other areas of the country. As such it has my full support.