Sir, - Seventy recommendations from the All-Party Committee on Liquor Licensing Laws are being submitted to Justice Minister O'Donoghue (June 18th). The overall effect of the recommendations seems guaranteed to increase the already unacceptable level of alcohol consumption here.
The success of the no zero tolerance approach exercised by the gardai in curbing pre-Christmas drinking December 1996 and December 1997 resulted in fewer road deaths and fewer road accidents than in previous years. It is more difficult to quantify the joy and peace of mind experienced in many homes by such garda vigilance. How can the Justice Minister now give his blessing to longer opening hours, that seem certain to spiral the road carnage statistics should the All-Party Liquor Laws pass into law? - Yours, etc., Frank Burke,
Terenure,
Dublin 6W.