Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he has taken to ensure the more effective enforcement of the law in regard to the sale of alcohol and particularly the sale of alcohol to persons under age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14072/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Provisions for controlling supply to and consumption of intoxicating liquor by persons under the age of 18 years are contained in the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988, as amended. The national age card scheme by the Garda Síochána has facilitated the Force, in co-operation with the licensed trade, in addressing and combating the problem of underage drinking. The age card scheme allows any person who has attained 18 years of age to apply for an age card at his/her local Garda Station in order to confirm that they have attained the legal age for the purchase of intoxicating liquor.

The new age card introduced in 2006 has state of the art security features. Its design has been greatly enhanced and includes an image security feature that is supplied only to Government projects worldwide. Currently there is no matching technology or method by which this technology can be copied.

We have to accept that we have a problem with binge drinking and it is clear that this problem is adding to public disorder. The Government Alcohol Advisory Group, which I established at the beginning of the year, was tasked with examining key aspects of the law governing the sale and consumption of alcohol and the adequacy and effectiveness of existing sanctions and penalties, including those directed towards combating excessive and under-age alcohol consumption. The Group also considered issues of enforcement of legislation.

The Group presented their report to me on 31 March, 2008. I intend to bring the contents of the Report to the attention of Government in the very near future and, at the same time, to seek Government approval of proposals for the implementation of recommendations contained in the Report. My commitment is to publish the relevant legislation during the current session and, with the assistance and cooperation of both Houses, to have it enacted before the Summer recess. In parallel with this, work will continue on the drafting of a comprehensive Sale of Alcohol Bill, which is already included in the Government Legislation Programme for 2008 and which will modernise and streamline the law in this area. Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 it is open to me to set policing priorities for An Garda Síochána. One of the priorities I have set for 2008 is to combat, particularly in cooperation with other agencies and the community generally, the problems of public disorder with particular emphasis on alcohol related behaviour (including under age drinking) and socially disadvantaged communities especially through utilisation of the legal mechanisms being made available, including behaviour warnings and closure orders

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Encounter, was commenced by the Commissioner in February, 2002 to target public disorder and anti-social behaviour against the community and local businesses. The Operation specifically targeted offences contrary to the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1996 and the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988, which include the sale and consumption of alcohol by underage persons.