asked the Minister for Justice (a) the number of discotheques and beat clubs in Dublin city, (b) whether he exercises any control over them and (c) whether, in the interest of all concerned, he will introduce legislation to provide that such clubs will be the subject of appropriate licences as in the case of dance halls.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Discotheques and Beat Clubs.
71.
Neither discotheques nor beat clubs, as such, are subject to statutory control by my Department or by the Garda. From their general knowledge, the Garda are aware of about a dozen such establishments in Dublin city.
The law already controls premises used for public dancing and also premises used by clubs for the supply of intoxicating liquor. Matters related to hygiene, sanitation and fire precautions are likewise already subject to statutory control and those aspects of the matter were the subject of a Parliamentary question to the Minister for Local Government on 29th April last.
It has also been alleged from time to time that discotheques and beat clubs can be centres for drug pushing. The question whether a licensing form of control would be of benefit in relation to this matter is under examination jointly by my Department and the Department of Health.
Would the Minister not agree that, having regard to the development which has occurred in regard to discotheques and beat clubs, it would be necessary to introduce some form of licensing as early as possible and not have this developing operation nobody's business? Surely the age at which young people are attending these premises and the lack of any form of supervision make the development one we should not welcome and one which should be supervised very carefully?
There are only about a dozen of these establishments in Dublin. The Garda are not altogether satisfied that licensing them would cure any problems that may exist in regard to them. They also tell me that the proprietors of these clubs are extremely co-operative with the Garda. These clubs are not as great a problem as they are sometimes alleged to be. The Garda also say that, if very strict controls were put on these clubs, people who might be interested in drugs would simply change their activities to some other premises.
Is the Minister aware that some of these clubs are frequently very overcrowded and that this could be a potential fire hazard?
This has been alleged, I understand, but the Minister for Local Government answered a question on that subject from Deputy Moore on 29th April and the Dublin Corporation fire department inspectors who are concerned with that aspect of it have been in touch with the proprietors of clubs in regard to the matter.
(Cavan): Do I understand correctly that a discotheque is a form of dance hall and that there is a charge for admission? Surely if that is so they come under the Public Dancehalls Licensing Act of 1935? Could the Minister explain how they do not?
I have never been in one of these establishments unfortunately, but I understand some form of dancing, or what purports to be dancing, is carried on. These places are open to members only——
That is a fiction.
——and as a result they do not come under the 1935 Act. There were prosecutions some years ago against some of these clubs for contravening the Act. The Garda are keeping an eye on them in that respect.