Attwood to tackle binge drinking

This follows on from his concerns about owners of some licensed premises encouraging binge drinking.

District Councils are responsible for granting entertainment licences.

Alex Attwood said: “I am very concerned about the practices in some nightclubs that lead to young people binge drinking, not only in the clubs themselves but travelling

to and from them. This concern has been heightened by the recent death of Joby Murphy in Belfast and the well-publicised pictures of young people drinking on buses

going to clubs.

“The purpose of the meeting is fourfold. First, the responsible nightclub operators will be affirmed – the irresponsible ones will be told to clean up their act.

“Second, I will tell the operators - and the coach operators next week – that I am urgently looking at how both entertainment and coach licensing can be toughened up

to take on bad practice and bad standards.

“Third, I want to endorse the Pubs of Ulster Draft Code on Drink Promotions and Drink Venues and to see how local councils can ensure holders of entertainment

licences abide by the code.

“Fourth, despite the restrictive powers available, my department, through DVA, needs to have people in court and bad practice penalised. All other agencies need to do

likewise.”

Colin Neill, chief executive of Pubs of Ulster said: “Pubs of Ulster has been working very closely with the Minister in recent weeks to determine what action can and needs to be taken in order to bring an end to illegal and

irresponsible practices within the industry. By helping to facilitate the meeting between the Minister and members of the industry, we hope to promote and encourage better

practice and reiterate the zero tolerance approach that both the Minister and Pubs of Ulster have on the issue of irresponsible promotions.”