New legislation to tackle alcohol abuse has been announced by An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Justice Minister Brian Lenihan. Based on recommendations issued by the Government's alcohol advisory group, the proposed changes are likely to be pushed through the Dail and Seanad before the summer break and implemented immediately afterwards.

Under the new laws Gardai will be able to:

• send youngsters under 18 into licensed premises to make "test" purchases of alcohol, the results of which can be used as evidence in court (safeguards are being built into the legislation to ensure that gardai are satisfied that the young person will not be harmed during the purchase and that the consent of a parent or guardian has been given in writing),
• seize bottles or containers if they suspect they contain alcohol about to be consumed by youngsters under 18 or where there are fears of public disorder,
• direct people likely to create a nuisance or breach the public order act to leave the area quietly,
• enter and search unoccupied buildings or waste ground without a warrant,
• arrest a person who refuses to give a name and address or who provides false or misleading information; conviction of such a crime will result in a maximum fine of €1,000,
• object with more authority to the granting of special exemptions to nightclubs and late bars; as a result, applicants will be forced to ensure that their premises are fully compliant with fire safety standards and that they have a CCTV system in place.

Mr Lenihan said he had also asked Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy to fast-track the implementation of measures to impose fixed fine penalties on those found to be drunk and disorderly. He said the fines could not be imposed on the spot and the gardai would have to arrest the offenders and bring them to a garda station before applying the fines.

Also included in the legislation is a major increase in fines for public order crimes.

Mr Lenihan said the new bill was a response to a significant problem of alcohol abuse, which was leading to public disorder and exacerbating the crime problem.

It was accepted that young people in this country were among the biggest binge drinkers in Europe, and one in five of under-seventeens who came to the attention of gardai were involved in drink-related offences, he said.