Vol. 460 No. 3
415 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to introduce legislation to update the Public Dance Halls Act, 1935, to include the endorsement of licence, the imposition of serious financial penalties and to introduce urgently needed controls over the promotion of rave dance events. [1343/96]
I can inform the Deputy that my Department has recently carried out a review of the law as regards renewals of pub/dance hall licences, together with an examination of systems of control for unlicensed premises in situations where drug sale and, or abuse is suspected. It is my intention to bring forward appropriate legislation to deal with the issues raised in this review as soon as possible. This legislation will include updating of the Public Dance Halls Act, 1935, particularly in relation to the operation of so-called "rave" dance events. The Garda already make submissions at the licensing courts in September each year if they are dissatisfied with the conduct of business in some premises. It is then a matter for the judge to decide whether a licence should be renewed.
