I refer to the letter by Karl Consiglio entitled Alcohol Sale Restrictions After 9 p.m. (July 25).

I would like to point out that Mr Consiglio appears not to be adequately briefed on the matter as the sale of alcohol after 9 p.m. has not been legal since 2007 (as a result of LN186) and not just from confectioneries but also from most commercial establishments.

The only exceptions to this rule were commercial premises licensed as catering establishments by the Malta Tourism Authority, wedding halls, clubs licensed under the provisions of the Police Licences Regulations, 1949, and commercial activities not licensed by the Trade Licensing Unit.

The latter exception has now been further clarified by specifically referring to an exemption for temporary licences issued under regulations 9, 10 and 11 of SL 441.04 (Activities Requiring Permit by Local Council) Regulations concerning activities carried out from any street, on any special or specific day or days.

Mr Consiglio might want to double check his facts since the recent amendments actually reduced the period during which alcohol may not be sold by four hours. The current restricted period is now from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., whereas before it was from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.