So McDowell wants to prosecute Publicans who let drunk people on their premises.....

Hellrazer

Strange one this....On the news this morning Mr Mc Dowell says he wants to start making publicans reponsible for drunks on their premises by prosecuting them/closing their pubs.He even stated that they may have to send garda into pubs to check out the people drinking there.

Two things though

1.Why do we go to pubs--Its not to get drunk is it???
2.Whats next??Start prosecuting off-licences for people getting drunk in their own homes.

I just think that these new laws are starting to get really stupid.Now they are saying that they may want to roll back the pub closing times to pre 1990 ones.
Seems like Ireland is going back towards the Dark Ages.
Earlier closing times,doing publicans for drunks on their premises.
Why doesnt the state just do its job properly and start getting crime like joy-riding,drug dealing etc off the streets and let the decent people in society enjoy their few drinks at the weekend without worrying if their local is going to be shut down cos of the drunks in it.
Stupid backward kip we`re living in.

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

Hellrazer

Originally posted by daveirl
Firstly it's always been against the law to serve drunk people I don't know whether its against the law to allow them on premises but I suspect it might be. Therefore McDowell is just enforcing existing laws and what's wrong with that.

Problem is that the country has a massive drinking problem. People used to enjoy a few drinks but now most people just want to get destroyed and everyone has to acknowledge that our alcohol contributes towards our social problems.

That law has always been there but like a lot of other laws in this country has never been enforced----Like Mr Mc Dowell wants to do now.As for publicans serving drink to drunk people---I for one have never ever been refused drink because I was too drunk.In my opinion its totally stupid to prosecute publicans for having drunks on their premises.And how will they tell if someone if drunk.Will they breathalyse everyone in the pub and see if they`re over the limit.The law is un-enforceable and will never see a prosecution.

As for the drinking problem that again is the fault of the Government having never enforced the underage drinks laws for years and now suddenly tarring everyone with the same brush because the problem is out if hand ie. that everyone who goes out gets locked and starts a row etc.In some pubs Ive seen 15/16 year olds getting served drink.These are the ones who should be shut down for good.

Not everyone who gets drunk leaves the pub and starts a row.And its certainly not even "most"people who get "destroyed"

I mean what happens next----The publicans limit you to 3 drinks so that you definately dont get drunk.I for one can go out get absolutely out of my face but I dont start a row or get abusive etc.
The trouble makers all seem to be of a certain type of person who just cant handle a few pints.

Talliesin

1.Why do we go to pubs--Its not to get drunk is it?

Well in a modern pub it won't be for the scintillating conversation:

"So what did you think of the budget?"
"You want me to fudge it?"
"The budget?"
"Sorry I can't hear you over the music?"
"Who are you calling a floozy?"
"I am not boozy, I've only had a few."
"What am I going to do? I'll ****ing show you what I'm going to do?"
*drunken punch-up ensues*

DadaKopf

Just like with driving in this country, our problems stem, mostly, from lack of enforcement rather than the laws themselves. Look at how driving culture in Ireland is changing as a direct result of enforcement rather than the introduction of new, tougher laws. This has always been the problem in Ireland.

Ireland still has a serious drinking problem and if we want to change this, it's going to come from the fair enforcement of fair laws, but not necessarily tougher more stringent laws.

McDowell, I think, is going the same way as New Labour - they talk tough, but don't act tough - what this does is introduces stronger, broader legislation that increases the scope for abuses of power.

Take, for example, the Public Order Act. It's an attempt to stop drunken disorderliness and violence in Ireland and while it has, indeed, been enforced, it's not a good piece of legislation. It's too broad and while it looks good on paper, in practise, it's a disaster. Good legislation doesn't have to look tough, it has to be focused and fair and enforced.

For the time being, there's absolutely no reason to reform the drinking laws, there's only reason to enforce them. Then, maybe, when we're all a little more responsible, the law's waist can be let out a little.

Hellrazer

Originally posted by DadaKopf


Ireland still has a serious drinking problem and if we want to change this, it's going to come from the fair enforcement of fair laws, but not necessarily tougher more stringent laws.



Take, for example, the Public Order Act. It's an attempt to stop drunken disorderliness and violence in Ireland and while it has, indeed, been enforced, it's not a good piece of legislation. It's too broad and while it looks good on paper, in practise, it's a disaster. Good legislation doesn't have to look tough, it has to be focused and fair and enforced.

For the time being, there's absolutely no reason to reform the drinking laws, there's only reason to enforce them.

Couldnt agree more----We need enforcement not reform of the laws.Start prosecuting puplicans who sell to minors but you cant expect a publican to be responsible for their punters actions when they leave the pub..

As for the public order act the worst reform of that was removing the Loitering With Intent legislation.At least when this was in place the Guards could move potential offenders on---I see kids hanging around outside off-licences asking people to buy drink for them.It would also stop people hanging around corners,fields etc drinking.

Victor

Originally posted by Hellrazer
1.Why do we go to pubs--Its not to get drunk is it???

The usual objective is to drink in moderation (and be sociable), not to get drunk as such. Something like 50% of last years homocides were drink related stabbings. Not to mention other drink related deaths through drunk driving, accidents (falls, drownings) and illness (liver and heart disease).

Most pubs are designed to encourage excessive drinking (loud music to prevent conversations, lack of alternative activites, absence of food)

We need a sea change in attitudes to drink in this country.

Mad_Patrick

I think people in Mr. MacDowell's constituency should let it be known that they will just not vote for a man who enforces such a ridiculously stupid law, then he'll quiten down.
As Victor said:

Something like 50% of last years homocides were drink related stabbings. Not to mention other drink related deaths through drunk driving, accidents (falls, drownings) and illness (liver and heart disease).

The answer to this is simple and way overdue: Legalise marijuana. Let people gat stoned in designated areas just like in Amsterdam, the pubs will be much less busy and Garda time can go to more serious problems rather than looking for hash heads like myself. But this is a little off topic