LISTEN: Licensing Bill strikes the right balance, says Communities Minister

By Michael McHugh, PA and Q Radio News

A Bill reforming Northern Ireland’s licensing law strikes the right balance between supporting the hospitality industry and discouraging harmful drinking, the Communities Minister said.

Bars and nightclubs will be able to serve for an extra hour, until 2am, nearly every Friday and Saturday, if the changes become law.

Drinking-up time would be extended to an hour, minister Caral Ni Chuilin said.

She added: “This Bill strikes the right balance, ensuring a level of support to the hospitality sector, which we all agree is very much needed, while protecting the communities by ensuring sale of alcoholic drinks is controlled.

“There is significant support for these balanced proposals.”

Draft Stormont legislation also proposes to remove all restrictions on Easter drinking.

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Supermarkets would face curbs on where they can place in-store advertising for alcohol and a voluntary code of practice for drinks promotions would be replaced with legal requirements.

The Assembly debated the matter on Tuesday.

Senior Democratic Unionist Paula Bradley chairs the Stormont committee which will scrutinise the proposals in greater detail.

Paula Bradley speaking at the deabte

She said they represented important and long-awaited changes and could boost a tourism and hospitality sector struggling with the impact of the pandemic.

She added alcohol misuse costs £700 million a year for healthcare, policing, prison and workplace absenteeism.

“I am confident that a more flexible licensing framework with the appropriate safeguards will not only assist those sectors to rebuild following the Covid crisis when our society can once again operate under more normal circumstances but also ensure protections are in place to help tackle alcohol-related harm.”

She said changes were considerably wider than previously envisaged and could be in place for many years to come.

Her Communities Committee of Assembly members will begin scrutinising the proposals and she said they did not want to unduly delay progress.

“The committee is supportive of the principles of the Bill and looks forward to considering it in much further detail.”

SDLP Assembly member Mark H Durkan’s family owns licensed premises.

Mark H Durkan

He said: “The local hospitality industry supports thousands of jobs, contributes £1.2 billion every year to our economy and is a key cornerstone of our growing tourism industry.”

He expressed disappointment that breweries and craft distilleries were not included in the reforms.

“It is incredible that these businesses, which are leading the charge on sustainability and innovation in the sector are still prevented from selling their products on site.

“We are tying one hand behind their backs.”

Sinn Fein MLA John ODowd says MLAs must acknowledge that society has changed in relation to the debate around the new laws.

He pointed out that there's been a shift in attitude towards drinking and the way in which people socialise. 

Mr O'Dowd says he supports the motion:

John O'Dowd

Meanwhile, his Sinn Fein colleague, Sinead Ennis told MLAs that doing away with Easter restrictions is causing excitement within the hospitality sector. 

Sinead Ennis

She also revealed that health organisations were in favour of advertising restrictions for off-sales. 

The member of the Communities committee says that while scrutiny is ongoing, its clear action is needed.