asked the Minister for Justice if he proposes to initiate legislation to amend the Intoxicating Liquor Acts.
11.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Intoxicating Liquor Laws.
10.
asked the Minister for Justice if there are any proposals before his Department to amend the Intoxicating Liquor Acts in so far as they relate to the hours of opening and closing of licensed premises on weekdays and Sundays.
, Cavan ) (for the Minister for Justice): With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together.
Various proposals have been made to me from time to time in relation to possible amendments of the Intoxicating Liquor Acts. These proposals include some relating to the hours of opening of licensed premises. I am examining the proposals but no decision has been taken to introduce amending legislation.
Is the Minister in a position to confirm that a large section of the Vintners' Federation of Ireland are anxious that the hours of opening of licensed premises should be until 11 p.m. seven nights of the week all year round?
(Cavan): Various proposals have been put before the Minister and the suggestion mentioned by the Deputy was also put forward.
Would the Minister not consider that during the tourist season 11 o'clock closing on a Sunday night is desirable?
(Cavan): The entire matter is being considered and it would not be advisable to deal with it piecemeal.
Is the Department having uniformity in closing hours for the types of licences that exist? There is a normal licence and a restricted licence. Under the latter there is early closing and restriction to six days. In some villages where early closing operates people are breaking the law if they stay five minutes over a specific time but they can go to the licensed premises next door where they are not breaking the law. In remote places some premises only have a six-day licence. Could a seven-day licence be granted to the holders of six-day licences on the payment of a satisfactory fee?
(Cavan): The number of licences mentioned by the Deputy are few and far between. The Minister has received proposals to give six-day licence holders an opportunity of converting their licences into seven-day licences. Perhaps the point the Deputy is now making could be relevantly made when a Bill comes before the House.
In restricted licences there is also what they call a seven-day early closing. It is a very old one but there are some.
(Cavan): They are few and far between.
Would the Minister agree that the indiscriminate granting of extensions to hotels to run discotheques and public dances gives rise to serious teenage drinking and that this area in the licensing laws should be changed.
(Cavan): That is a separate question and I believe it deals more with the enforcement of the existing law.
Next question.
Are such things barred under the existing law?
I have called the next question.
The Chair should allow a supplementary question especially when progress is being made.
The Deputy should allow the Chair to control Question Time.