New alcohol legislation which will soon be signed into law will have a detrimental effect on the tourism industry, Dublin hoteliers warned yesterday.
Under the new Intoxicating Liquor Bill, which is expected to have passed through all stages of the Oireachtas by tomorrow, children under 15-years, accompanied by a parent or guardian, will not be allowed in a bar after 9 p.m. People aged between 15-17 years may be unaccompanied in a bar up to 9 p.m. but will not be allowed in a bar after that time.
Meanwhile, 18-20 year-olds must carry an age document if they want to remain in a bar after 9 p.m. Yesterday, members of the Irish Hotels' Federation (IHF) Dublin branch said this would mean that a family on holidays could not enjoy bar food after 9 p.m.
The issue of identification cards would be particularly acute for English visitors, said Mr Paul Keenan, owner of the Arlington Hotel in Dublin. A British 20-year-old was under no obligation to carry photographic identification and did not need a passport to come here, he said. Yet hoteliers and publicans would be forced to refuse him entry to their bars, he said. Mr Enda Mullins, general manager of the Westin Hotel, said hoteliers would be happier if an identification card scheme had been introduced first. However, now bars could be faced with losing 10 customers because one member of the party did not have the necessary documentation.
Mr John Power, IHF chief executive, said tourism providers had been striving to provide a welcoming family-friendly environment, but the legislation would immediately undo this.
Mr Power said the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, had found time to amend the Bill to make provision for licences for national sporting arenas, but didn't find time to listen to the hoteliers. The amendment provides for new licensing arrangements for sporting venues which currently rely on licences primarily intended for other purposes, such as theatres.
A spokesman for the Minister said the current arrangements made the enforcement of the licensing laws difficult and this would regularise the position. While the Bill is expected to be signed into law within the next fortnight, the legislation relating to age cards may not be enforced until the autumn.
