Publicans argue that the trade needs more flexibility

Minister John Spellar said the review would be followed by a public consultation next year.

Among the issues it will look at are opening hours, enforcement and health promotion.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster on Thursday, publican Garvan O'Doherty, said the trade needed greater flexibility.

Mr O'Doherty owns several licensed premises in Londonderry,

"I would not be particularly in favour of public houses having their hours extended until six in the morning," he said.

I want to strike a balance between the need to regulate the sale of alcohol and the need to have regard for wider public health issues John Spellar NIO minister

"I think what you need are different types of services classified in different sections and those different sections operating different hours of opening.

"That is what the consumer wants and that is what we should provide," he said.

Mr Spellar said growing calls for a modern licensing framework had been one of the reasons behind the review.

"I want to strike a balance between the need to regulate the sale of alcohol in a way which is effective, enforceable and equitable and the need to have regard for wider public health issues."

Chief Executive of the Health Promotion Agency, Dr Brian Gaffney said they would not be lobbying against extending opening times.

"We are not concerned with the legal position," he said.

"We are more concerned about people having more information so they can make their own choices.

"We would hope that the review would take on board the fact that although it is widely available and widely used, alcohol is still a drug.