andMr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Justice if the proposed extension of the metropolitan district court area to include County Dublin will in any way alter the licensing laws in County Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Licensing Laws.
50.
There has been no decision to extend the Dublin Metropolitan District court district. A proposal that this should be done has been made by the Committee on Court Practice and Procedure and has been circulated to interested bodies for comment.
I am not in a position to say whether such a change, if made, would affect the licensing laws. This is a matter of legal interpretation on which, if the proposal turns out to be acceptable on other grounds, I intend to seek legal advice.
I have informed the two associations representing publicans in the areas that might be affected that no decision that would affect the operation of the licensing laws will be taken in relation to the court district without giving them an opportunity to express their views, but that it will be at least another six months before we would have reached the stage where their views would be needed.