Alcohol Action Ireland press release, 3 September, 2024
Alcohol Action Ireland has expressed deep concern about reports that the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, is intending to publish legislation to extend bar and nightclub opening hours in the coming weeks.
The international evidence is overwhelming that even a one-hour extension is associated with a 17% increase in alcohol related crime, up to a 30% increase in road collisions and a 34% increase in alcohol related injuries requiring hospital treatment.
In recent months almost 80 health, social and community organisations and advocates, including the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine, have called on the government to carry out a Health Impact Assessment on any such proposals to increase alcohol availability. This was a key recommendation in the report of the Oireachtas Justice Committee in its pre-legislative scrutiny of the Sale of Alcohol Bill.
Commenting on the proposals, Alcohol Action Ireland, CEO, Dr Sheila Gilheany said,
‘This shows a shocking disregard for the deep concerns of multiple front-line organisations who will have to pick up the pieces from these reckless proposals.
Where is the forward planning to deal with the entirely predictable fall-out? At the very least an assessment is required to put in place the resources needed and indeed to cost such resources. Our Emergency Departments are on their knees as it is with around 30% of ED presentations being alcohol related at weekends. They certainly cannot absorb any further burden from alcohol.
The proposals also ignore the public unease as noted in opinion polls with 67% worried about the potential impact on public services such as Emergency Departments, ambulances, Gardaí, transport and comes at a time when there is already considerable unease about safety in Dublin city.
Impacts will not only fall on public services – individuals, families and communities will suffer. It is particularly concerning given the well-known connection between alcohol and domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
The question must be asked of this Minister– who are you serving, the public or the publicans?’
Ignoring the concerns of those most affected by these proposals, disregarding the recommendations of the Oireachtas Justice Committee and progressing this legislation without proper planning can only lead to predictable harms which will be felt across towns and cities in Ireland.
Notes:
- Open Letter: An urgent call for this government to fully assess the implications of increased alcohol availability – Alcohol Action Ireland (alcoholireland.ie)
- Data on one-hour extension harms:
16% increase in alcohol related crime
30% increase in traffic collisions in rural areas
34% increase in alcohol related injuries requiring hospital treatment
