Drinks promotions, "happy hours" and children in pubs will soon be a thing of the past after the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, today signed an order to bring the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 into operation.
Mr McDowell announced plans earlier this year to tighten up the licensing laws to deal with drink-related anti-social behaviour. From the end of next month, strict laws governing the presence of under-18s in licensed premises will also come into effect.
Despite criticism from Labour and groups representing Travellers, the Act will also transfer jurisdiction for discrimination cases from the Equality Tribunal to the District Court from September 29th.
From Monday, August 18th next, the new Act will extend the use of temporary closure orders where licensed premises are found to be in breach of any aspect of the licensing laws, and non-uniformed gardauí have been given increased powers to enforce the law in such cases.
It will also be an offence to offer drinks promotions or "happy hours", and any form of music or entertainment during the 30 minutes drinking-up time will be prohibited.
Publicans are liable to fines of €1,500 for a first offence for a range of offences, including admitting drunk people to a bar, selling them alcohol or allowing disorderly conduct in a licensed premises.
From September 29th, closing time on Thursdays will revert back to 11.30 p.m.
Although publicans can use their discretion to allow children and teenagers in pubs during the day, under-18s will be banned from all licenced premises after 9 p.m. except for private functions where a meal is served.
However, a publican can also demand that children under-15 be removed from their pub if the child's health and safety is believed to be at risk.
Young people aged 18 to 20 will be required by law to carry proof of age in any licensed premises and it will be an offence for children aged 15 to 17 to be in a pub after 9 p.m. unless they are at a private function where food is served.