Labour calls for clarity on 0% beer being consumed on licensed premises by children
Labour calls for clarity on 0% beer being consumed on licensed premises by children - The Labour Party
- Staff left to police whether children are consuming a non alcoholic drink.
Labour’s Justice Spokesperson Alan Kelly TD has looked for urgent clarification from the Minister for Justice on the legal status of serving non-alcoholic 0.0% well know branded beer that’s consumed by children in pubs.
Speaking today, Deputy Kelly raised serious concerns after learning of instances where pub staff were left in the impossible position of having to police who was drinking what during busy shifts.
Deputy Kelly 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.
“He also pointed out it me that staff working in those premises on a later shift would struggle to determine who had been drinking what, as the drinks look 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.
“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. Children should not be consuming any product marketed or packaged like alcohol, and it should never be permitted in a licensed premises.
“I’m calling on the Minister for Justice to urgently clarify the legal position on serving 0% alcohol products to minors in pubs. It is completely inappropriate for this to be left up to interpretation by individual pubs and their staff.”