The HSE has reportedly advised the government against extending trading hours for pubs, clubs, and off-licences in Ireland amid fears of a surge in crime.
In it’s detailed warning, officials said they fear that assaults and drink-driving accidents would increase if these hours are extended to 6:00 am as planned.
This comes as a number of other health bodies echo their cautioned approach to extending the hours of service under The Sale of Alcohol Bill.
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The latest changes to the bill are due to be in effect as early as next year, meaning pubs will be allowed to stay open until 12.30 am every day, late bars will have the option to remain open until 2.30 am and nightclubs until 6:00 am.
Announcing the move weeks ago, Justice Minister Helen McEntee said the new measures “aim to support the industry, protect and back our pubs.
“It will help people to open a pub where some may have shut, start a venue, a club night or an exhibition space, creating jobs and enriching our culture as they do so,” she said.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly raised several concerns which have been raised by the HSE at Cabinet but claimed that Government would ultimately need to “strike the right balance” between public health interests and supporting the nighttime economy.
However, in response to this, the College of Psychiatrists in Ireland insisted that economic and employment-related considerations should be “secondary” to the risks associated with public health and social issues from changes to the alcohol licensing system.
“On the issue of Covid-related lockdowns, we recognise that pubs and night clubs have borne a particularly severe adverse economic impact,” it said.
“A licensing system may well not undergo a significant review for another 50 years, so a short-term focus on issues which arose during the lockdowns should not dictate the type of licensing system we are left with for the next generation.”
The HSE also said solutions for a damaged "nighttime economy" need to be broadened and not focused solely on the sale of alcohol.
A spokesperson said we simply "need to reimagine our collective cultural and entertainment experiences in the context of a whole-of-Government commitment to reduce alcohol consumption.”
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