The National Off-Licence Association says all licensed premises should be treated the same way and the responsibility for policing underage drinking lies with the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell.

The association's comments come after the Dublin City Centre Business Association (DCBA) renewed a demand it made last year for all city-centre off-licences to stay closed until 6pm on St Patrick's Day.

The DCBA claims the city centre has been taken over by "lager louts" who have discouraged families from enjoying the annual national day over the past five years.

"We ask the St Patrick's Day festival committee to show leadership and ask all off-licences not to sell alcohol as a take-away product before 6pm on the day, " said DCBA chief executive Tom Coffey.

But John Shiel, chairman of the National Off-licence Association, rejected the business lobby's demand.

"All licensed premises should be closed or none of them should be closed and that decision is up to the Minister for Justice. If he feels there is a problem with drinking on St Patrick's Day, it is incumbent on him to sort it out, " he said.