COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

MOTION NO. 4

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

"This committee supports the Clondalkin Drugs and Alcohol task force ‘’Alcohol Strategy’’.   We are mindful of Ireland's unhealthy relationship with alcohol and the effects of excessive drinking on our Families , Friends , Children , Community and our Nation’s Health.  In this regard we will commit to taking the following steps:

1)      We ask the Planners of SDCC not to permit any further shops/off licences that increase availability of alcohol in the Clondalkin area.

2)      We ask SDCC Planning Department, in relation to the Clonburris SDZ that we as a Council limit alcohol places of sale as much as possible       and where there are places is not near community centre, sports facilities and schools.

3)      We ask that SDCC run a campaign to educate and inform on the dangers of excessive drinking.

4)      We reaffirm our support for The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill in its entirety and commit to writing to minister to express this.

5)       We commit to write to the relevant minister to stop alcohol been sold in Garages as a further step in reducing risk."

REPORT:

Decisions regarding planning applications for development must be made in accordance with statutory and regulatory provisions and be consistent with development plan policies and objectives.  Regard must also be had for statutory guidance and rules relating to market competition.  In this context it is not be possible to refuse planning permission for any further shops/off licences that increase availability of alcohol. Planning legislation or the development plan has no legal basis to impose this type of prohibition. Furthermore such an approach could be seen as anti-competitive and protective of existing outlets.

The subcommittee have applied for funding under the Healthy Ireland Fund to carry out a mapping of alcohol outlets in the Clondalkin area.  If granted the work will commence in early 2018 and the results will be made available to the Council and the subcommittee believe will show a high saturation of Alcohol outlets in the Clondalkin area. This information can then inform future planning in the area.

The subcommittee are also members of the National Alcohol Forum and through that forum five local people in Clondalkin have been trained on issues that alcohol misuse can lead to for an individual, family or community. The subcommittee are also pushing the National campaign askaboutalcohol.ie at local level and working with the GAA who have an alcohol worker available to local clubs and they provide information on alcohol consumption and performance in sport.

As part of the National Community Action on Alcohol Programme (NCAAP) the subcommittee have supported the campaign to have the Public Health Alcohol Bill passed in its entirety as it will have an impact on availability of alcohol, separation of alcohol from food in shops and introduce a minimum unit pricing system. As part of this campaign the subcommittee have written to all local politicians seeking their support for this.

The Clonburris Strategic Development Zone Draft Planning Scheme was on public display from 22nd September to 3rd November 2017. At time of writing, the Chief Executive’s Report on submissions is being prepared. As outlined in the above paragraph, the limitation places of sale for alcohol is not within the remit of the planning legislation. Therefore such a requirement cannot be imposed through the Draft Planning Scheme.