asked the Minister for Justice the steps he proposes to take to reform the intoxicating liquor laws.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Intoxicating Liquor Laws.
15.
The Deputy will appreciate that there are widely differing views as to what sort of change in the intoxicating liquor laws would constitute "reform" if that term is taken to imply improvement. Many proposals to amend the intoxicating liquor laws have been made from time to time, some conflicting to a greater or lesser extent with others. I will consider these proposals but I am not in a position to say whether it is likely that any amendments of the Acts will be proposed by me.
Will the Minister bear in mind the broad problem of alcoholism and of intoxicating liquor generally—the £1 million a day being spent on it? Will he also consider the problem of under age drinking and the suggestion that our drink laws are getting out of date, bearing in mind particularly what I would call the five shilling exemption—under the 1962 Act special exemptions can be obtained where what are known as substantial meals are served? Will he also bear in mind the difficulty of publicans with endorsements leading to squashing of their licences? Considering all these difficulties, does the Minister not think that the time is ripe to set up a commission to investigate the entire problem and to receive submissions?
I must confess there is great pressure from different groups to amend the licensing laws. Different groups believe different things should be done. A strong group believe the law should be amended to try to reduce the incidence of under age drinking; another group believe that the law should be amended to allow restaurants to obtain full licences without having to extinguish one or two existing licences; and a group believe that holders of restricted licences, or six-day licences, should be allowed to convert to full licences. There are strong influences on both sides, as it were, and expressing a personal opinion, I say that anything that can be done should be done immediately to deal with the teenage drinking problem.
I should like to press the Minister on this. I understand that prior to 1962 a commission investigated the whole problem in the context of that time. Would the Minister consider, accepting that the problems are there, that it is appropriate to set up an up-to-date commission?
I accept the Deputy's suggestion that the time is ripe for an investigation by a commission.
Has the Minister received a recommendation from the Irish restauranteurs?
I have.
Can he give an indication of his attitude to their case, which is supported by Bord Fáilte, with regard to a full licence for restaurants? Is the Minister in favour of it?
Mr. Collins
I am not in a position to say whether I will give in to pressure from one group or another or that I will resist a particular pressure. In fairness, the Deputy will appreciate my position. Initially I said there are a number of pressures, among them pressure from the restaurant owners who want full licences. I am not in a position to say whether I favour that.
Is the Minister aware of the anomalies that exist in the licensing laws in the Dublin area—that it is not possible to get a new licence in the county area within one mile of an existing licence although the population is increasing at an enormous rate and that we are in the process of building three new towns there?
I am so aware.
It is a separate question, entirely irrelevant.