DRINK LICENCES SHOULD only be granted to pubs and restaurants that serve non-alcoholic beer, a TD has suggested.

Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality, Alan Shatter, what he thought about her suggestion that a condition of the granting of drink licences to pubs and restaurants “would be the mandatory stocking of non-alcoholic beer”.

Minister Shatter didn’t have the same opinion as Mitchell when it came to her suggestion.

He said that while the sale and supply of alcohol products in such premises is subject to specific conditions set out in the Licensing Acts, “these conditions do not currently specify that such sale or supply is also subject to the availability of non-alcoholic beverages”.

The Minister pointed out that many licensed premises already provide a range of non-alcoholic alternative beverages in response to consumer demand. “I would strongly encourage all licensed premises to do so,” he said.

But if you’re hoping that Mitchell’s suggestion would be implemented, you will be disappointed.

“I would, however, be reluctant to impose a statutory obligation concerning the availability of specified products on licensed premises,” said Shatter, “since there may be little local demand for any such product and such a provision would place an additional enforcement burden on the Gardaí.”

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