Pubs face penalty points for serving youngsters

Irresponsible pubs in Northern Ireland will face a penalty points system that could lead to closures as part of new plans.

The proposal has been added to a Bill that is currently going through Parliament designed to tackle alcohol related problems.

Under the measures pubs that sell alcohol to the underage twice will incur five or six penalty points. If they rack up 10 they face closure for between a week and three months.

Other measures in the Licensing and Registration of Clubs include the banning of 'irresponsible promotions'. The Assembly is also looking at the possibility of introducing a minimum price of for alcohol.

Social Development Minister Alex Attwood said: "Selling drink to people below 18 is wrong and reckless and I welcome the Assembly supporting me in premises being automatically closed for a significant period if they do this more than once."

Colin Neill, chief executive of Pubs of Ulster, said the trade group was generally in support of the measures.

He added: "Whilst we are encouraged by these developments and welcome them as a step in the right direction, we recognise that more needs to be done to create an equal and fair system for all those who operate in the licensed trade.

He added: "The below cost sale of alcohol by supermarkets is still a major burden on the industry and we will be awaiting the launch of the consultation on minimum pricing by continuing our call for them to lead the way and introduce effective legislation that will address the issue before the rest of the UK."

If approved the measures will become effective in the autumn.