asked the Minister for Justice if he will consider introducing proposals for legislation amending the Intoxicating Liquor Acts in order to make it an endorseable offence for licensees to sell intoxicating liquor to minors under 21 years of age.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answer. - Sale of Liquor to Minors.
Mr. Boland
The answer is in the negative. May I remind the Deputy that under existing law the sale of intoxicating liquor to minors under 18 years of age for consumption on the premises is an offence, conviction of which may be endorsed on the licence at the discretion of the court?
Does the Minister not consider that if his reply were in the affirmative we would then be in a better position to consider the extension of licensing hours as advocated by Deputy Corry and many others, that we would wipe out some of the objections the Minister has to the opening hours for the trade?
Mr. Boland
I cannot see what that has to do with it.
It has a lot to do with it.