Lyons delivers Department’s response to the Report of the Independent Review on Liquor Licensing

Date published: 18 November 2025

The University of Stirling-led Review, which was required under section 23 of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021, was published on 21 February 2025 and contained 26 wide-ranging recommendations. A number of the recommendations have been accepted or partially accepted by the Department. Others have not been accepted, or the Department believes they are already satisfied under the current regime.

In an Oral Statement to the Assembly, Minister Lyons said:

“Alcohol is not an ordinary commodity, its sale is rightly subject to regulation through a licensing regime which dictates who can sell alcohol, where, when and in what circumstances. The purpose of these controls is to ensure that the right balance is struck between facilitating the responsible sale and consumption of alcohol and protecting public health, public safety and public order. In this way, the licensing regime also plays a role in assisting our hospitality sector, in terms of its sustainability and attractiveness to customers."

The Minister continued:

“Our licensed premises are vital to the Northern Ireland economy. They support tourism, provide employment, and serve as important social spaces in our communities. That is why I have decided not to accept the authors’ recommendation for targeted reform of the surrender principle. These changes could have significant and unintended consequences on the economic viability of our hospitality sector at a time when many are operating below viability thresholds.”

“However, this is not a rejection of progress. The report has also provided my Department with the opportunity to consider how the regime can be further improved and modernised.

“The role the licensing regime can play in supporting market diversity and innovation will also inform my Department’s response to recommendations on local producers’ licences introduced in 2022, that will be taken forward following the completion of a statutory review.”

Minister Lyons concluded: 

“This review has provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on how our licensing regime can evolve, but reform must be proportionate, evidence-led, and aligned with the needs of our communities and economy. I am committed to working with delivery partners, stakeholders, and industry representatives to ensure any changes are consulted on, fully impact assessed, and subject to meaningful engagement. In the meantime, we will focus on what can be done now, within the existing regime, to improve awareness, accessibility, and responsiveness. This includes ensuring that public health concerns are not just acknowledged but actively addressed.”

The Minister’s Oral Statement can be found here.