asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether it is still his intention that no person who holds a licence for the sale of intoxicating drink should be appointed as a Peace Commissioner; and whether, if he learns that any such licensee has been appointed inadvertently, the appointment will be cancelled.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - APPOINTMENTS OF PEACE COMMISSIONERS. POSITION OF LICENCE-HOLDERS.
Mr. O'HIGGINS
I am satisfied that it is generally undesirable that persons holding licences for the sale of intoxicatin liquor should be appointed to the office of Peace Commissioners. If the Deputy will let me have the names of licensed traders appointed inadvertently, I shall consider it necessary to cancel their appointments.
I may, perhaps, take the opportunity of explaining that the general rule not to appoint licensed traders to be Peace Commissioners was not because of any idea that a publican is a bad citizen, but because:—
1. Peace Commissioners, having the right to sign, or to refuse to sign, club certificates, have therefore a certain power and discretion in the matter of the right to sell drink in clubs. It is thought undesirable that licensed traders should have such power and such discretion.
2. Peace Commissioners have to maintain a certain dignity and independence in their relations with the Civic Guard. It is difficult for a licensed trader to do this in view of the close supervision which the Civic Guard have to exercise over licensed houses.