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As British As Finchley
MPs from the DUP and UUP have joined with the SDLP and Sinn Fein in urging the Minister for Social Development, David Hanson, not to repeal Northern Ireland's antiquated licensing laws by bringing the licensing procedures inline with those in England and Wales.
According to the UTV report the politicians warned "pressing ahead with liberalisation proposals could result in every corner shop being able to sell drink." and we could never have that (among other things, on the mainland, you can buy alcohol at your local corner shops with your groceries).
Among the outrageous proposals being put forward by the DSD were such destructive ideas as:
- New powers for police to enforce licensing laws (including temporary closure or restricted hours for offending premises)
- A penalty points system for licensees
- Dedicated liquor licensing officers
- Test purchasing powers to allow the police to catch out vendors selling to underage drinkers
- Extension of opening hours by an entire hour to 2AM (except on Sundays) by mid 2007
"There is no need to tamper with a system that has worked well for the people of Northern Ireland for decades just so he can say he has brought our legislation into line with that of the rest of the UK."
Jeffrey Donaldson, DUP MP & MLA, Lagan Valley
Wee Jeff knows best. I hope the irony of a Unionist arguing so hard against legalising something that is perfectly normal in the rest of the UK wasn't lost on him. Thank goodness that we have enlightened fresh-thinking politicians like these to save Ulster from the horrifying prospect of picking up a well-earned six-pack from the Co-Op at the end of a hard day's work.