asked the Minister for Justice if he will consider introducing legislation to permit the granting of licensing extensions to hotels and licensed premises in the seaside and tourist areas during the coming tourist season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Licensing Extensions in Seaside and Tourist Areas.
4.
Mr. Lynch
This question was fully discussed during the progress of the Bill through both Houses and I do not propose to take any further action in the matter by reopening it now.
Surely the Minister is aware that the people in tourist resorts are under great pressure this year and would he not consider meeting a representative deputation from the hoteliers of the tourist resorts in view of what happened last Sunday when they had to close down their hotels and licensed premises in the height of the tourist season? I think this is something of great significance. I would suggest now to the Minister that he should say that he would be prepared to meet a representative deputation from the hoteliers.
No. I would not be prepared to meet such a deputation because it would serve no useful purpose. As the Deputy knows, this matter has been discussed in the House for a period of over six months and this question was in the forefront of the discussion. In addition, I met numerous deputations while the Bill was going through the House and this question was discussed with one of the deputations.
Surely the Minister will realise that if we are to increase our tourist trade he should now say that, in view of what happened last Sunday, this Bill will have to be amended? Will the Minister say that he would be prepared to examine the conditions as they are and give hoteliers in the various seaside resorts an extension for, say, this season?
May I ask the Minister, in the light of our experience of this Bill, if we are to take it that he is not prepared to consider amending the legislation?
No. On the question of experience, all we have had is one weekend. Are we to alter the Bill on that experience?
The Minister for Agriculture. Question No. 5.
This is a most unsatisfactory answer. With the permission of the Chair, I propose to raise this matter on the adjournment.
I shall communicate with the Deputy.