Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he proposes to take in view of the growing level of alcohol abuse among young people and the links between this and assaults and murders here; if a comprehensive programme in which co-operation between his Department and other Departments such as the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism will actively work together to reduce the central role given to alcohol in socialising by young people in particular. [10151/05]

Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans he has to implement new strategies on a cross-departmental level to address the issue of under age drinking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10248/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 130 together.

The position is that while I have general responsibility for the liquor licensing system in my capacity as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, several other Ministers, and their respective Departments, have responsibilities in relation to particular aspects. For example, the Minister for Health and Children has responsibility for public health policies, while road safety legislation comes within the ambit of the Minister for Transport.

The intoxicating liquor legislation for which I have overall responsibility is essentially concerned with the number and nature of licensed outlets and the persons who may hold licences, as well as the times at which, and the persons to whom, intoxicating liquor may be supplied.

As regards consultation and co-operation with other Ministers and their Departments, the position is that I and my Department have worked with the relevant Ministers and their Departments as part of the process of preparing proposals to amend and reform the licensing laws. Extensive consultations took place, for example, during the preparation and drafting of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 which contains measures aimed at combating drunkenness and disorderly conduct and tackling the problem of under-age and binge drinking.

The provisions in the 2003 Act, which gave effect to certain recommendations of the commission on liquor licensing and the strategic task force on alcohol, include a strengthening of the provisions prohibiting the sale or delivery of alcohol to persons under the age of 18; restrictions on the presence of persons under the age of 18 in bars of licensed premises, and a new requirement that persons aged 18 to 20 must carry an 'age document' in order to be in the bar of licensed premises after 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. during the period from 1 May to 30 September.

I should add that the Government legislation programme makes provision for the publication of an Intoxicating Liquor Bill later this year. It will repeal the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2004 as well as liquor licensing provisions in other statutes — about 100 statutes in total — and replace them with updated provisions geared to modern conditions. During the process of preparing this Bill, my Department has been consulting widely with other relevant Departments and statutory bodies. I have also consulted with the other Ministers who have responsibilities in this area. Subject to the approval of the Government for its drafting, I intend to publish shortly details of the proposals which will be included in the Bill.

In relation to murder and manslaughter, I would inform the Deputy that there were 45 such incidents in 2004, the lowest recorded number in ten years. I would further inform the Deputy that Ireland has one of the lowest rates of murder in Europe.

In relation to assault causing harm, I would advise the Deputy that there was a reduction of 21% in assault causing harm in 2003 compared to 2002 and a reduction of 1% in assault causing harm in 2004 compared with 2003. This trend has continued in 2005 with a 15% reduction in assaults causing harm in the first quarter compared to the same period last year.