asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that certain licensed traders in Dublin opened their premises for the sale and consumption of intoxicating liquor thereon between the hours of 1 and 6 o'clock p.m. and in some cases 7 p.m. on Sunday, 3rd September, 1933, on the occasion of the holding of the All-Ireland hurling final at Croke Park; if he will state whether permission was given to such traders by the Gárda authorities, and if so, if he will state under what authority it was given, and if not, whether any prosecutions have followed as a result of such sale of intoxicating liquor; and if he will introduce proposals for legislation to amend the licensing laws to permit of extended opening by all licensed traders in the city, after application made before and subject to sanction by the district justice, on such occasions as the All-Ireland hurling and football finals and like gatherings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hurling Final—Opening of City Publichouses.
I have had inquiries made regarding the matters referred to in the question and I have ascertained that for some years it has been the practice to permit a certain latitude to licence holders in the vicinity of Croke Park on the occasion of important Sunday fixtures. This practice was followed on Sunday, the 3rd September last, when the All-Ireland hurling final was held at Croke Park. A number of licence holders opened their premises from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., but not, I am informed, in any case until 7 p.m. The Gárda Síochána were aware of what was happening and no prosecutions will be instituted. There is, of course, no legal authority for the procedure followed, and now that my attention has been called to it, I have no option except to direct the discontinuance of the practice. I shall consider the suggestion that provision should be made for such cases by legislation, but I cannot give any undertaking as to the introduction of such legislation.
May I ask the Minister if he is aware that the certain licensed traders referred to in the first part of the question are supporters of the Government and does he approve of that type of discrimination in any section of the trade in matters of that kind?
I am not aware that any of the traders concerned have changed their political views or how they voted. I am aware, however, that my predecessor did not interfere with the same licensed holders getting the same facilities.