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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Jun 1961

Vol. 190 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Effects of Licensing Laws in Seaside and Tourist Resorts.

15.

asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware of the concern now being felt by publicans in seaside and tourist resorts at the loss of trade on Sundays during the holiday season owing to the operation of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1960; and whether he is now prepared to consider the amendment of the Act in this respect.

I do not accept that there has been any loss of trade on Sundays in seaside and tourist resorts owing to changes in the licensing laws but I can well imagine that there may be diminution of sales in some licensed premises owing to the fact that the law prohibiting drinking outside the permitted hours is now being enforced generally where before the passing of the Licensing Act, 1960 it was not.

As I have already made clear to the House there is no intention on the part of the Government to introduce legislation to amend the licensing laws without the fullest possible experience of their practical operation.

Is it not true that the organisation representing the licensed traders of these seaside resorts have already indicated to the Minister that there has been interference with their trade, apart from the illegal trading the Minister spoke about, and that they do not seek any further extension of the hours but a rearrangement of the hours? Does the minister not think that, since there has been a trial period, it is now time to examine the Act in order to facilitate the general public and these people who make their living in these seaside resorts?

Under the Act, the hours were extended rather than diminished. It is true that as a result of area exemption orders, which were interpreted in a way which, in my opinion, they should not have been interpreted, there was to some extent an extension of the hours. But I have had no complaints that the hours were shorter. I have had requests for an extension of the hours and it is the extension of the hours to which I have not acceded.

Is the Minister indicating that he would consider an alteration in the trading hours on Sunday?

That is what I have indicated in reply to the question—that we want to have adequate experience of these hours before we decide to make any change, if we should decide to make a change. We want to have practical experience. We have not got that yet because, as the Deputy will recollect, the Act came into force only on the 4th July and, in fact, was not strictly in force for some little time after that.

Would the Minister accept representations in those terms from reputable organisations?

I have met a number of organisations and I have made the position very clear, as clear as I have tried to make it in the House.

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