Will the new government get rid of the 10pm off license closing time?

Mark200 · 07-03-2011 12:17PM

Spunge wrote: »

But why should we have to stock up on drink ?

Well probably because there are some people who clearly cannot bare the idea of not having ready access to alcohol at 10.30pm.

mike kelly · 07-03-2011 12:19PM

Spunge wrote: »

But why should we have to stock up on drink ?

as part of our integration with the EU. Every self-respecting German has a beer supply at home and we need to follow suit.

checkyabadself · 07-03-2011 12:31PM

Surely everyone can see the flipside as to why it makes sense, even if it is flawed in ways the principle is sound.
I keep a supply of food and drinks both alcoholic and not in my house. I make sure that when I wake up in the morning I won't have to go to the shop for cereal. I'll plan ahead and make sure I have plenty in stock prior to needing it. I don't see why alcohol is any different to any other food or drink item.

I reckon the only people it bothers are those who have no alcohol in their house on a continuous basis and consume all of their alcoholic drinks as they buy them in of an evening. The idea of surplus or leftovers is alien to binge drinkers.

People who rush to the off license after 10pm haven't planned ahead and are probably deemed less responsible than those who'd a bit of foresight.

It reminds me of that one idiot who runs around a disco asking all of his mates if they have a condom as he was too stupid too plan ahead.

Spunge · 07-03-2011 12:34PM

But it doesnt stop people buying drink, only forces them to go to a pub or club and spend far more , which is why its good for pubs.

BIGT4464 · 07-03-2011 12:43PM

Whats also bad is the no sale before 10.30, I like to get my shopping early and put my 2 bottles of ale in the trolley the woman scaned it and then took it back off me it took a while to click what was wrong it was 10.15, crazy law. this was in Lidl.

AgileMyth · 07-03-2011 12:43PM

checkyabadself wrote: »

Surely everyone can see the flipside as to why it makes sense, even if it is flawed in ways the principle is sound.
I keep a supply of food and drinks both alcoholic and not in my house. I make sure that when I wake up in the morning I won't have to go to the shop for cereal. I'll plan ahead and make sure I have plenty in stock prior to needing it. I don't see why alcohol is any different to any other food or drink item.

I reckon the only people it bothers are those who have no alcohol in their house on a continuous basis and consume all of their alcoholic drinks as they buy them in of an evening. The idea of surplus or leftovers is alien to binge drinkers.

People who rush to the off license after 10pm haven't planned ahead and are probably deemed less responsible than those who'd a bit of foresight.

It reminds me of that one idiot who runs around a disco asking all of his mates if they have a condom as he was too stupid too plan ahead.

Right so if I'm working from three until ten, as I regularly do, and receive a phonecall about a party/session during this time I should have planned for that?
Theres no need to make excuses for this ridiculous law, it was put in place to inconvenience us.

While we're on the topic why are off licence hours different on a Sunday?

maggy_thatcher · 07-03-2011 12:43PM

mike kelly wrote: »

just stock up on drink at the supermarket - are irish people so disorganised that we can't manage that?

Because I often do my weekly shopping on a Sunday morning - and nanny state rules say you can't buy alcohol then either?

Or do I have to make a dedicated shopping trip just for booze?

Spunge · 07-03-2011 12:45PM

AgileMyth wrote: »

While we're on the topic why are off licence hours different on a Sunday?

Same reason we cant buy drink on good friday i assume

orourkeda · 07-03-2011 12:46PM

If only as a means of satisfying ones goo at 11pm

Rabidlamb · 07-03-2011 12:47PM

Spunge wrote: »

But it doesnt stop people buying drink, only forces them to go to a pub or club and spend far more , which is why its good for pubs.

I understand FF logic of herding people to the pub instead of the offie after 10pm but what if your a father of 2 who just wants a bottle of red to go with his DVD.
Now luckily my local Centra know I'm not reselling my wares to the chislers outside so I've no problem getting a bottle at 10:30pm.
My issue is why should I be made feel like a criminal doing it.

checkyabadself · 07-03-2011 12:51PM

Spunge wrote: »

But it doesnt stop people buying drink, only forces them to go to a pub or club and spend far more , which is why its good for pubs.

Only bad planning forces you to go to the pub. Why can't some people buy the alcohol they will consume for a week say, in one go at a supermarket?

I would hazard a guess that some people plan to get drunk and only buy in what they plan on drinking. They are probably afraid to buy anymore as when drunk would consume the lot and end up in trouble.

Pay as you go alcohol purchases on a consistent basis, surely has to be indicative of a binge drinking problem.

Spunge · 07-03-2011 12:52PM

Rabidlamb wrote: »

I understand FF logic of herding people to the pub instead of the offie after 10pm but what if your a father of 2 who just wants a bottle of red to go with his DVD.
Now luckily my local Centra know I'm not reselling my wares to the chislers outside so I've no problem getting a bottle at 10:30pm.
My issue is why should I be made feel like a criminal doing it.

I agree, its not a major problem, but can be quite annoying as you can get alcohol any time you want in other countries. People are just used to it now so they put up with it, but why should we, what if they moved it back to 9 or 8 o clock ?

syklops · 07-03-2011 12:57PM

checkyabadself wrote: »

Surely everyone can see the flipside as to why it makes sense, even if it is flawed in ways the principle is sound.
.

No I dont see any sense in it whatsoever. It is supposed to stop kids from binge drinking and to reduce anti-social behaviour. Only, it doesnt, because few kids have commitments that make them unable to go to the off-license before 10pm. Unlike many adults who often work to 10pm and past.

checkyabadself wrote: »

I keep a supply of food and drinks both alcoholic and not in my house. I make sure that when I wake up in the morning I won't have to go to the shop for cereal. I'll plan ahead and make sure I have plenty in stock prior to needing it. I don't see why alcohol is any different to any other food or drink item.

Yes we all try to make sure that we have cereal in the house, but in the event that you go to get some at 8am in the morning and there is none(for whatever reason), it is not illegal for a shop keeper to sell it to you. There are shops open at that time, where you can go and get some. Unlike when you go to your stock only to find that your housemates drank it all at the weekend, and you look at the clock and it is 10.01, if you go to your local Spar or Centra it is against the law for them to sell you a can of Guinness or a bottle of Don Simpson.

checkyabadself wrote: »

I reckon the only people it bothers are those who have no alcohol in their house on a continuous basis and consume all of their alcoholic drinks as they buy them in of an evening. The idea of surplus or leftovers is alien to binge drinkers.
.

I actually think it is the other way around, and it really only suits the alcoholics. This business of making sure you have a load of drink in stock constantly, just on the off chance that you would be caught without a drink in your hand at 10.05 sounds a bit obsessive compulsive to me. And besides, if an alcoholic were to find himself in that position, he would just go to a pub, without giving it a second thought.

It does however hurt casual drinkers and people who work. Like people who get home from work later than normal and say to themselves "Hmm, I fancy a small sip of Pinot Grigio while I watch Vincent Brown. Oh wait, I cant because it is illegal because it is after 10pm".

checkyabadself · 07-03-2011 01:21PM

syklops wrote: »

No I dont see any sense in it whatsoever. It is supposed to stop kids from binge drinking and to reduce anti-social behaviour. Only, it doesnt, because few kids have commitments that make them unable to go to the off-license before 10pm. Unlike many adults who often work to 10pm and past.

Yes we all try to make sure that we have cereal in the house, but in the event that you go to get some at 8am in the morning and there is none(for whatever reason), it is not illegal for a shop keeper to sell it to you. There are shops open at that time, where you can go and get some. Unlike when you go to your stock only to find that your housemates drank it all at the weekend, and you look at the clock and it is 10.01, if you go to your local Spar or Centra it is against the law for them to sell you a can of Guinness or a bottle of Don Simpson.

I actually think it is the other way around, and it really only suits the alcoholics. This business of making sure you have a load of drink in stock constantly, just on the off chance that you would be caught without a drink in your hand at 10.05 sounds a bit obsessive compulsive to me. And besides, if an alcoholic were to find himself in that position, he would just go to a pub, without giving it a second thought.

It does however hurt casual drinkers and people who work. Like people who get home from work later than normal and say to themselves "Hmm, I fancy a small sip of Pinot Grigio while I watch Vincent Brown. Oh wait, I cant because it is illegal because it is after 10pm".

I agree with a lot of what you say, as I said already the idea is flawed. We could argue for and against it for hours as blanket bans are always controversial. The vast majority of people pose no threat to society, but those lecherous idiots who cause all of the anti social behaviour tend to be the fools to not plan ahead and have their "me need more drink" plans scuppered by their lack of access.
It seems excessive and its a minor hindrance to me from time to time, but as long as Ireland has one of the worst drinking cultures and has such a burden on the health service and causes so much related violence, we'll always have strict controls over sale and supply.

maggy_thatcher · 07-03-2011 01:26PM

checkyabadself wrote: »

but as long as Ireland has one of the worst drinking cultures and has such a burden on the health service and causes so much related violence, we'll always have strict controls over sale and supply.

So punish those who abuse the system, not those who are behaving responsibly. Violent while drunk -- put them in a curfew where they aren't allowed out at night for a year. Violent in a hospital - turf them out and let them die.

RussellTuring · 07-03-2011 01:55PM

checkyabadself wrote: »

I agree with a lot of what you say, as I said already the idea is flawed. We could argue for and against it for hours as blanket bans are always controversial. The vast majority of people pose no threat to society, but those lecherous idiots who cause all of the anti social behaviour tend to be the fools to not plan ahead and have their "me need more drink" plans scuppered by their lack of access.
It seems excessive and its a minor hindrance to me from time to time, but as long as Ireland has one of the worst drinking cultures and has such a burden on the health service and causes so much related violence, we'll always have strict controls over sale and supply.

You could argue for and against it for hours because blanket bans like this are ridiculous and oppressive to the large number of people who drink responsibly.

I'm an adult and it's my decision to drink or not, just as it is to smoke or not. If the Government really was doing this for my benefit, what are they actually achieving? People who occasionally drink don't often have a stash in their house for emergencies; they buy alcohol when they require it.

You admit that it's excessive but are willing to accept it anyway, because some of us don't know what's best for us but the Government do. I think this is a scary way to think. We will only tackle the problems the country has with drinking once we recognise that adults should be free to make their own decisions and should not be treated like children. However, when they are children, they should be shown that alcohol is not evil but when used sensibly can be enjoyable.

Dermighty · 07-03-2011 02:10PM

Eric Cartman wrote: »

man thats bullsh*t , underage lads all get their drink at 8-9 and are drunk by 10-11 anyway, opening the offos later wont do anything to underage drinking

The offlicenses closing at 10 has more to do with the revenue of pubs than public order. My two cents.

Seaneh · 07-03-2011 02:26PM

the way alcohol is regulated in this country is the main contributing factor to anti social behaviour involving alcohol.
Look at the countries with the least problems with alcohol caused anti-social behaviour in europe, there is almost no regulations.

Spain, france, italy etc. You can but a beer at a cafe or kiosk at 6am on your way to work. Bar decide their own opening hours, night clubs close when they decide to...

Result.

no massive rush of people trying to get cabs at the one time at the end of nights out...

People don't try puck as much drink into themselves as quick as they can to try and beat the clock.

People don't buy 12. Cans of beer at 6pm just in case they are out by 10.

Spunge · 07-03-2011 02:29PM

Seaneh wrote: »

the way alcohol is regulated in this country is the main contributing factor to anti social behaviour involving alcohol.
Look at the countries with the least problems with alcohol caused anti-social behaviour in europe, there is almost no regulations.

Spain, france, italy etc. You can but a beer at a cafe or kiosk at 6am on your way to work. Bar decide their own opening hours, night clubs close when they decide to...

Result.

no massive rush of people trying to get cabs at the one time at the end of nights out...

People don't try puck as much drink into themselves as quick as they can to try and beat the clock.

People don't buy 12. Cans of beer at 6pm just in case they are out by 10.

I think its more to do with our drink culture, which is much the same as england, i recall some police officer in england saying the introduction of 24 hour licensing didn't reduce anti-social behavior.

mike kelly · 07-03-2011 02:32PM

irish people are not able to make mature decisions where alcohol is concerned, that is why we need regulation. I would close offies at 8 pm and all day on Sunday

admiralofthefleet · 07-03-2011 02:35PM

i hope so, its stupid.
i was in tesco last night and poor bloke barely made it to the til to buy drink. it was a couple of minutes before ten but the que was long for the self service and no tils were open. if that was me and i missed the time i would go mental

checkyabadself · 07-03-2011 02:39PM

RussellTuring wrote: »

You admit that it's excessive but are willing to accept it anyway, because some of us don't know what's best for us but the Government do. I think this is a scary way to think. We will only tackle the problems the country has with drinking once we recognise that adults should be free to make their own decisions and should not be treated like children.

I agree 100 per cent. I'm not in favour of the ban. It's idiotic, lazy and oppressive towards most of society. All I'm saying is that there is a reason for the ban. It may be crap and regressive but its whats expected from a bunch of teachers masquerading as statesmen.

I'm not a fan of the law, just unsurprised by it. I'm an awful cynic, I guess.

I'd welcome a turnaround in the law but it'd probably come at a cost of removing the below cost selling for off licenses.

sbsquarepants · 07-03-2011 02:43PM

Spunge wrote: »

Im sure pubs would lose a lot of money if the hours went back to like 12:30, like my local used to. Most people are too sober to want a lot of drink before 10pm. They might have only got a few cans then want a lot more, and the only option left is fiver a pint for a few hours.

I love Irish logic!

checkyabadself wrote: »

I keep a supply of food and drinks both alcoholic and not in my house. I make sure that when I wake up in the morning I won't have to go to the shop for cereal. I'll plan ahead and make sure I have plenty in stock prior to needing it. I don't see why alcohol is any different to any other food or drink item.

I reckon the only people it bothers are those who have no alcohol in their house on a continuous basis and consume all of their alcoholic drinks as they buy them in of an evening. The idea of surplus or leftovers is alien to binge drinkers. .

Planning ahead so you never run out of drink sounds a lot more like a drink problem than deciding on a whim to go back to someones house after the pub!

checkyabadself wrote: »

It reminds me of that one idiot who runs around a disco asking all of his mates if they have a condom as he was too stupid too plan ahead.

Who does that? There's machines in the toilets ffs!

gosuckonalemon · 07-03-2011 02:44PM

starviewadams wrote: »

Probably end up costing more taxpayers money to pay for Gardai,Paramedics,Nurses and Doctors to look after more intoxicated underage people.

Not at all, they would have their alcopops bought way before 10pm. That's like saying making drugs illegal stops people taking them.

sbsquarepants · 07-03-2011 02:46PM

Also - if you think 10pm is bad be thankfull you don't live in Norway. I was there recently and tried to get beer in a supermarket at about 7, but was told they didn't sell after 6, the following day i tried again at about half 4 and was again refused cos the cut off point is 3pm at the weekend!
:mad:

smokedeels · 07-03-2011 02:58PM

They shouldn't have the power to dictate our dealings with a vendor of alcohol, is it legal: yes? okay, then let the private business man sell it at a time of his choosing and let the consumer make his own mind up as when to purchase it.

gosuckonalemon · 07-03-2011 02:59PM

This law is a pain in the hole but surely people have gotten used to it by now?

I've learned to not drink every last drop of alcohol in my flat just cos it's there and am now able to have a supply at all times. Maybe I've just become less of a pisshead/more mature drinker as I got older.

I kind of treat my alcohol shopping like food shopping. Buy in supermarkets in bulk (for beer) and keep an eye out for special offers on wines and spirits.

Always have a bottle of vodka, whisky and jaegermeister in stock...then if I get called to a session choose one to take and leave the other two there...whereas before I'd be bringing all three, and the rest.

checkyabadself · 07-03-2011 03:09PM

sbsquarepants wrote: »

I love Irish logic!

Planning ahead so you never run out of drink sounds a lot more like a drink problem than deciding on a whim to go back to someones house after the pub

Why do you assume that the continuos supply of alcohol equates to excessive drinking? I bought a case of beer over a month ago and have 9 left.

az2wp0sye65487 · 07-03-2011 03:15PM

maggy_thatcher wrote: »

Because I often do my weekly shopping on a Sunday morning - and nanny state rules say you can't buy alcohol then either?

Or do I have to make a dedicated shopping trip just for booze?

Isn't that what a trip to the off license is anyway?

maggy_thatcher · 07-03-2011 03:18PM

Alvin Muscular Salt wrote: »

Isn't that what a trip to the off license is anyway?

yes...but now I have to remember to go out to the off-licence at a time I don't actually want to have a drink, but I'm not out shopping either - it's a completely bespoke trip that's a nuisance.

Will the new government get rid of the 10pm off license closing time?

Comments