Labour Party holds conference on licensing hours

by Michael Tue Mar 31, 2009 14:42

That's exactly what we need right now. Our country is goin down the toilet right now thanks to the banks, the unions, and the crap 'leadership' of the buisness/political elite; but hey, let's demand more access to alcohol so that we can drink ourselves into a hole, creating more tax revenue to be creamed off by the state, rather than organising for change. To paraphrase Bill Hicks, 'go back to sleep Ireland; here's more beer and 99 channels of Tubirdy, Don't worry your Government has it all under control.'

by Phier Tue Mar 31, 2009 15:06

You're making the assumption that reducing the hours of availability reduces consumption.

by Michael Tue Mar 31, 2009 15:17

No, i'm making the assumption that increasing the hours of availability increases consumption.

by Albatrot Tue Mar 31, 2009 16:08

Thats all very well but, would Labour in government with FG be able to implement this policy?Remember FG are the ones getting their knickers in a twist about head shops and the like. And this goes for a hell of a lot of aspirational Labour policy. Its all very well sounding radical, making lovely speeches and all that but then they go into coalition with the most conservative major party in the country. Whats the point?

by Phier Tue Mar 31, 2009 16:28

If controls are put in place for security inside and outside the building to effectively do their job then anti-social behavour would be better curbed than by using blanket protectionism for all (bar copper face jacks who stay open later, coincidence?).

Also, FG were against FF's Liquor Act at the time and wrote up far more specific ammendments such as a nightclub license (nightclubs are not recognised as a legal entity and operate under the Public Dance Hall Act of 1935) whilst Labour were more pie in the sky idealists as demonstrated here, but all parties bar a couple of PDs voted against FF.

by Starstruck Tue Mar 31, 2009 17:06

Its a pity that the drug alcohol gets such a light treatment from Labour whilst they chickened out of taking a position on cannabis last year.

by Wise Owl - Irish through and through Wed Apr 01, 2009 06:03

A debate on longer opening hours for the boozers ? the legal people must be getting quiet ... you and i know the damage already caused due to excess
alcohol and its horrors ,is Lil Labour so thick upstairs to even contemplate such barbaric interference ? No answer required................

by Blacbloc Wed Apr 01, 2009 07:51

This looks like a Labour/FG initiative. FG have a sizeable vintners lobby among their supporters.

The measures taken earlier in the year to cut alcohol consumption worked - closing the offies earlier etc. Within two months the alcohol industry was down approx 20% on take. The publicans are desperate to get people drinking in pubs again. Labour should be ashamed of themselves - pretending that this is a measure to help people drink more sensibly.

by Albatrot Wed Apr 01, 2009 14:59

The measures worked? Decreased alcohol consumption is nothing to do with the economy then? BTW, whatever about FG links with the vintners, surely half the publicans in Ireland are members of FF, going by my home town anyway.

by Phier Wed Apr 01, 2009 18:01

It was meant to curb unruly behaviour and health damages caused due to excessive alcohol consumption, not put people out of business and restrict the social lives of adults.

Supt Joe Gannon, of Pearse Street Garda Station said:

"The difference is the streets are cleared earlier," he says. "When we had the theatre licences one lot were coming out of bars at 2.30am and another lot coming out of the late clubs at 3.30am, so there were people on the streets until about 5am.

"Now they are all coming out together at 2.30am. The fast-food places don't have the capacity for them all, so a lot head straight home.

"If it is staggered, there is less volume at once, which is easier to deal with. There is less potential for volatility on the streets."

Full text: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2008/1216/....html

A report will be released soon showing the social affects of alcohol consumption before and after staggered closing has been introduced accross Europe. It is favourable towards staggered closing.