Calls to restrict pub licences

A chief HSE official has led calls to review future licensing for pubs and off-licences in problematic drinking hotspots.

Speaking at the launch of a new HSE alcohol and drugs report in Cork, Dr Augustine Pereira, Director of Public Health at the HSE Cork and Kerry, said restricting the number of licenses in areas with certain drinking patterns, demographics or which have high number of licensed premises already, could help tackle the effects of alcohol on communities.

At the launch of the report in Cork County Hall on Wednesday, Dr Pereira was asked whether he felt there were any shortcomings in the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018, which will see restrictions on access to alcohol, pricing and marketing of alcohol products gradually phased in between now and 2021.

“I think it would be useful to look at alcohol licensing,” he said.

“People already have an opportunity to give feedback about new licensed premises and what they would like to see in their area. The Drug and Alcohol Task Force is representative of many partners and I would like them to look at what we can do around alcohol licensing in certain areas.

“Depending on the drinking patterns in an area, demography and the number of licensed premises, we might want to look at future licences and whether we want to limit the number of licensed premises in an area,” he added.

Provisions in the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, which was enacted in October last year, include a ban on alcohol advertising on public transport vehicles, stops and stations. The Act also confined the sale of alcohol products to a single area in certain premises and restrictions on the marketing of alcohol in some cinemas, sporting events or events aimed at children.

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