asked the Minister for Justice (a) the number of beat clubs at present in operation in Dublin, (b) the number of premises in basements or cellars, and (c) what control his Department have over them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Beat Clubs.
14.
There are 12 such clubs in the Dublin-Dún Laoghaire area, of which six are in basements. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the Garda recently prosecuted successfully the occupiers of a premises of the kind referred to for breaches of the Public Dancehalls Act, 1935 and the court hearing of similar charges in relation to another premises has been adjourned. It can be taken that the Garda will take similar action in relation to other premises if circumstances so warrant and evidence of the commission of an offence is available.
Have the police authority to enter any of these clubs at any time? Further, is the Minister aware of the danger from both a moral and a health point of view of having hundreds of teenagers packed in these clubs?
The Fine Gael Party is a beat club.
(Cavan): The Minister is an authority on them, I understand.
I saw the Tánaiste having a one, two, three in great style recently.
We were all there.
Does the Minister agree that it is a danger to young people and is it his intention to get further control so that the police can enter these clubs at any time?
I am satisfied that the police have every authority that is necessary within reason under the Public Dance Halls Act and under the licensing Acts, where they suspect drinking may be taking place. The police of this or of any other country should intervene in no way in matters of morality. I will leave that matter to Deputy L'Estrange. It is not a police matter.
If the police have this power and authority, why had they to dress up in mini-skirts and Teddy-boy clothes to go into a club recently before they could prosecute? Why could they not go in in police uniform?
For the Deputy's information, this sort of police operation is routine practice in every democratic country.
Is this a recruiting speech?
Is the Minister aware that the parents of these children are apprehensive of the danger if hundreds of teenagers are packed in basements? It is definitely injurious to their health.
The Deputy cannot have it both ways. There has been a prosecution for precisely the reason mentioned by the Deputy already under the Public Dancehalls Act.
In one out of 12.