The following statement was issued today by Premier Brian Tobin. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

In recent weeks we have heard from individuals and groups � most notably the local chapter of MADD or Mothers Against Drunk Driving and I am delighted to acknowledge the President of the MADD Canada Avalon Chapter, Mrs. Gwen Mercer, who joins us in the Speaker's Gallery today � asking government to reduce the extension of opening hours for bars. Mrs. Mercer wrote to me several weeks ago voicing her concerns, on behalf of the chapter, about extended bar hours on New Year's Eve.

We have listened to those concerns and today we are responding to those concerns.

I am pleased to inform the House today that government has decided to limit extended bar hours on New Year's Eve to three instead of six hours, as was originally proposed by the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation.

Simply put, the liquor corporation will now grant a three-hour extension to opening hours for all licensees for New Year's Eve. By adding three hours to the normal weekend closing time of 3 a.m., we believe this limited extension provides licensees with adequate opportunity to tailor their New Year's Eve schedule to any special Millennium functions they have planned without creating a dramatic increase in hours.

It was MADD's suggestion that the extended hours be limited and it was a good suggestion. Government is supportive of the efforts of organizations such as MADD to educate the public about the consequences of impaired driving and to encourage the socially responsible use of alcohol.

I want to assure all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador that enforcement of existing penalties for misuse of alcohol will not be decreased during the holiday season. I am confident that law enforcement agencies in this province will continue to do an excellent job in minimizing alcohol related incidents.

In conclusion, I encourage everyone to celebrate the beginning of the new Millennium safely and responsibly.

1999 12 09               2:20 p.m.