New government regulations will make it illegal for anybody under 18 to be in a pub after 9 pm.
People between the ages of 18 and 20 will be obliged to carry photo id to get into a bar after 9 o'clock. There is however a clause in the legislation that allows for teens attending a private function where a substantial meal is being served. Anyone found to be in breach of the legislation could face a fine of up to €300.
The measures have been brought in to try and stamp out excessive drinking.
The new law has been welcomed by medical experts and groups concerned about the impact of binge drinking. but publicans say the new measures are "excessive".
Joe Treacy, Alcohol Addiction Counsellor at the Western Health Board, welcomes the move by the government and says that the driving force behind young people taking their own lives is alcohol.
Many publicans say that the new measures are excessive and will negatively impact on the tourism industry. Publican at Tigh Coili in Galway, Colie O'Flaherty, has always welcomed tourists with their children who come to listen to the traditional Irish music.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell says he doesn't think that the new laws are in any way extreme and says that the measures are not anti-family.
Jeremy Smyth of Hogans Bar in Dublin doesn't think the new laws will affect business due to the demographic that frequents Hogans Bar. However, he doesn't believe that the law will stop underage drinking.
If people want to go out and drink, they're going to get drink anyway.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 29 September 2003. The reporter is Sari Houlihan.
