asked the Minister for Justice the authorities, bodies or organisations which have represented to him that additional hours for the opening of public houses are required.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Opening Hours of Public Houses.
57.
Nearly thirty organisations or bodies have made representations or passed resolutions calling for changes in the present opening hours. I should say, however, that some of them did not suggest any specific alternative and in other cases it would be a matter of opinion whether the changes suggested would mean additional hours or merely different hours. In some cases, too, the representations were concerned primarily or entirely with extensions for holiday resorts.
Of the bodies concerned, about a dozen were local authorities (including four county councils) and, of course, their resolutions on the subject are public knowledge. Similarly, I have no positive reason to think that any of the other organisations concerned would wish their representations to be taken as confidential, and the substance of some of them, at least, has been given in newspaper reports. Nevertheless, I do not think that I would be justified in naming the organisations or bodies concerned without their consent, as it is, I think, in the public interest that any organisation should be able to express its views to the Minister on a confidential basis, whether those views are for or against any change in this or any other law. I would stress that it is the question of principle that I am concerned with and that I am not suggesting that any of the bodies we are now concerned with would object to publication.
Could the Minister say how many organisations asked that cafes be allowed to sell drink?
I could not say that.
The Minister gave information in relation to county councils. He said four county councils approached him about an extension of the hours.
I did not. I will repeat what I said:
Of the bodies concerned, about a dozen were local authorities (including four county councils) and of course their resolutions on the subject are public knowledge.
They asked for an extension, did they not?
The Deputy's public knowledge is as good as mine.
How many Fianna Fáil cumainn made representations?
Did the Minister receive any representations from An Bord Fáilte that there had been a demand on behalf of tourists for an extension?
Yes.
Who made representations to the Minister that the hours in operation in public houses on the quays should be restricted or altered?
From the point of view of principle, I do not wish to disclose what representations were made by any particular body.
Representations were made?
Certainly, and I may tell the Deputy that, apart from any representations made by any organisations, a very large number of dockers whom I know personally spoke to me with a view to doing away with this.