asked the Minister for Finance if he will lay on the Table a return showing (a) the number of "on licences" in each licensing area and the estimated population in each area; (b) the number of licensed premises in each licensing area with a valuation (i) under £10, (ii) at or over £10 but under £30, (iii) at or over £30 but under £50, (iv) at or over £50 but under £75, (v) at or over £75 but under £100, and (vi) at or over £100.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - LICENSED PREMISES.
TOMAS MAC EOIN
The return asked for by the Deputy will be laid on the Table as soon as possible. To obtain the material for the preparation of the return it will be necessary to get particulars from the local records of the officer in charge of each Excise General Station, and as these records do not show the licensing area in which a particular publichouse may be situated and as the officer's station may contain parts of several licensing areas it is expected that some time must elapse before the information will be available.
I do not want to impose a great deal of trouble on the Department. The value of the return would be in relation to the Intoxicating Liquor Bill. If the Bill is to be passed before the return is available, unless the Department requires it. I do not think it would be worth the trouble.
We expect to have it in a fortnight.