Plans to extend opening hours for pubs and clubs will put further pressure on the health system, according to Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI).
The group issued the warning as the Oireachtas Justice Committee prepares to launch its report on plans to overhaul Ireland’s licensing laws.
The proposals include plans to extend opening hours for pubs and nightclubs and make it easier to apply for a licence.
The proposal has been met with widespread public support – but Alcohol Action Ireland CEO Sheila Gilheany thinks more risks need to be considered before the Sale of Alcohol Bill is passed.
“The issue comes down to international evidence,” she told Newstalk Breakfast.
“We can see that any time you do this if you increase licensing hours, you increase the level of sale, and with that, the level of alcohol harm.
Health impact assessment
Ms Gilheany said the Government also needs to evaluate the risks for health services, emergency departments, and Gardaí before changing licensing laws.
“There needs to be a health impact assessment carried out on this Bill before it goes any further,” she said.
“We have to legislate for what we have in Ireland, and we know we already have a problem with alcohol, we have a problem in terms of violence, we definitely have a problem in terms of the impact it has on our public services.
“If you go into any emergency department at the weekend, you can see that impact that’s there with the number of alcohol-related presentations there.”
Expanding licensing laws
Those in favour of the more liberal licensing laws have said extending opening hours in pubs and nightclubs is a "step in the right direction" for Ireland's social scene.
Sunil Sharpe from Give Us The Night previously told Newstalk Ireland "hasn't had late nights for the best of two decades" and said 24-hour alcohol licensing laws is the way to go.
"24-hour licensing means a blank canvas, and that you get to choose your own times that suit you as a business and your patrons," he said.
"I've come out of nightclubs over the last few weekends in Amsterdam, Berlin, Athens, and in each case those nightclubs either went until 9am or 10am - or chose to run later."
An Irish DJ previously told Lunchtime Live expanded hours in nightclubs will rejuvenate the "decimated" clubbing culture in Ireland.
Public services 'on their knees'
It’s essential that new licensing laws don’t put more pressure on emergency services than is already there, according to Ms Gilheany.
“Our public services are on their knees – how do we expect them to cope with more?” she said.
“[The report] should map out the impacts and therefore where resources need to be directed.
“If you make changes, you need to be prepared for those changes.”
