asked the Minister for Justice when he intends to set up a commission to investigate reform of the Intoxicating Liquor Acts; and the proposed terms of reference of such a commission.
Written Answers. - Liquor Laws.
217.
In reply to a supplementary question arising out of a parliamentary question from the Deputy which was answered by me on 27th October, I said that I accepted the suggestion that the time was ripe for the investigation of the intoxicating liquor laws by a commission. That, of course, was an immediate reaction to the suggestion made by the Deputy. On reflection, it seems to me that the findings of a commission might be of limited value. There are a number of conflicting interests involved, some of them within the licensed trade and the findings of a commission would not remove the conflict. I am continuing to receive representations on various aspects of the intoxicating liquor laws and I shall be having discussions with various interested groups. I shall, in due course, be in a better position to judge whether the Acts ought to be amended or a commission set up or, indeed, whether the law ought to remain as it is.