The Minister for Justice has been asked to clarify laws around the sale of non-alcoholic beers to minors in pubs.
Labour’s Spokesperson on Justice Alan Kelly said he raised concerns with Jim O’Callaghan after he was contacted by a staff member at a pub who felt they had to police who drank what.
He said: “It is very concerning that this situation arises – where it is technically possible for children to be given non-alcoholic beer by adults purchasing it for them in pubs.
“I was contacted by a worker in a busy pub about a specific incident where a group of parents were buying 0% alcohol for children.
“He asked me was he right to refuse them? I felt in the spirit of the licensing laws he was. Previously though it has happened he said in other premises.”
Mr Kelly said staff also struggled to determine who was drinking what due to non-alcoholic drinks looking identical to alcoholic versions.
“That is completely unacceptable and places an unfair burden on workers. It could also affect the licencee of the premises if children accidentally or deliberately drank an alcoholic version of the drink that looks identical to the 0.0% version of the drink,” he added.
The Labour TD said that while it may not be an issue that can be legislated for, he called on Minister O’Callaghan to provide clarity around the legal position on serving 0% alcohol products to minors in pubs.
He said: “The responsibility to fix this lies squarely with the Minister for Justice. He needs to give clarity. It may not be even something that can be legislated for.
“We need to take the pressure off pub staff and ensure that the law is clear and enforceable.”
