A consultation to review changes to byelaws on public drinking is to proceed but concerns have been raised that without a Minister in place, Stormont won’t be able to enact the changes.
Anti-social behaviour issues have plagued areas like Helen’s Bay, Crawfordsburn Country Park in Co Down and various other hotspots throughout the Ards and North Down borough for years, with problems seemingly on the rise in more recent times.
The law currently prohibits the consumption but not possession of alcohol but updated byelaws will outlaw both consumption and possession.
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The consultation aims to fix that loophole at these designated areas, which according to one local MLA, have been plagued far too often by anti-social behaviour and other serious problems.
It has prompted Country Park authorities to recently write urging action to outlaw consumption and possession of alcohol at their site.
The joint consultation will be run by the Department for Communities and Department of Justice and will be open to members of the public to contribute their views.
While North Down Alliance MLA Andrew Muir says the planned consultation is warmly welcomed, a Minister is needed to commence the powers, which he says makes clear, yet again, why the restoration of the Assembly and Executive is required without any more delay.
Mr Muir said: “After relentlessly pushing for the byelaws to be updated I am beyond relieved to hear that the consultation will be progressing as we deal with issues arising from another busy summer season.
“For too long the local community in Helen’s Bay and other affected areas in North Down have suffered severe disruption from anti-social behaviour often fuelled by alcohol.
“Recent weekends have yet again seen large crowds gathering, littering, assaults, and very worryingly people walking along the tracks at Helen’s Bay Train Station with a report received from one resident of visitors pushing a shopping trolley full of alcohol into the Country Park.”
He added: “Recent correspondence from NI Environment Agency lays bare the real worries for the safety of people and the need for the bye-laws to be commenced.
“These scenes have necessitated a massive coordinated response from the PSNI, Crawfordsburn Park Authorities, Translink and the Department for Infrastructure.
“The current byelaws are not fit for purpose with changes urgently needed to allow confiscation of alcohol as opposed to having to wait until containers are opened as is currently the case.
“Whilst the planned consultation is warmly welcomed with the legislation requiring a Minister to commence the relevant parts of the Criminal Justice Order the need to restore the Assembly and Executive is yet again made clear, this needs to occur without any more delay.”
Local Holywood and Clandeboye Councillor Martin McRandal added: “These issues have been present in other areas such as Seapark in Holywood and Ballyholme in Bangor and are at their worst during the summer months.
“I welcome this news and hope that real progress will be forthcoming in time to avoid a repeat of problems next year.”
According to the Department for Communities, the consultation document is currently being finalised and will be published in due course.
A DfC spokesperson said: “We are working in partnership with the Department of Justice on a joint Public Consultation on the issue of Anti-Social Behaviour.
“The Consultation document is expected to be published in due course and it will be for Ministers to decide how to proceed, following evaluation of the responses to the Public Consultation.”
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