asked the Minister for Justice the steps taken since he took office to review the Intoxicating Liquor Acts; the bodies, if any, he has consulted; and the form of any review body he proposes to set up to examine the Acts and recommend changes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Intoxicating Liquor Acts Review
5.
Various proposals for the amendment of the licensing laws, many of them conflicting, have been received by me and my predecessors over the years. Since I took office the following are among the bodies that have made written or oral submissions: Vintners' Federation of Ireland; Irish Restaurant Owners' Association; Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland; Pioneer Total Abstinence Association; Irish Ballrooms Bands Association; Dublin Education Council for Secondary Schools and Knights of St. Columbanus.
I have also agreed to meet a deputation from the Irish National Union of Vintners, Grocers and Allied Trades Assistants and am at present endeavouring to arrange a suitable date.
I am examining all the proposals that have been made but, because of other more pressing matters, I am not yet in a position to say whether a review body will be set up, or what recommendations, if any, I will make.
In the light of the recommendations made to the Minister will he accept that the licensing laws are in a mess and that there is a morass of legislation dating back for more than a century in some respects in relation to this matter? In these circumstances would the Minister not accept now the proposal I put forward about a year ago regarding the setting up of a commission to examine the difficulties in that area and also the problems in our society relative to such matters as under-age drinking?
The Deputy is right regarding there being many Acts in this area. There are more than 40 Acts dealing either directly or indirectly with the sale of intoxicating liquor. Obviously, therefore, any review would be a major and long-term undertaking. Regarding the Deputy's suggestion that a commission be established, I am not convinced that this will resolve the differences between the interested bodies regarding possible amendments of the law. If a commission were representative of those bodies as was the commission set up in 1956, they would report undoubtedly in much the same fashion, that is, with contradictory recommendations being made by way of minority reports.
The publicans, the restaurateurs and the hoteliers hold opposing views as to how the law should be amended while the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association and those who advocate more severe curbs on teenage drinking have their views. Also, the off-licence sale of drink in supermarkets will be both attacked and defended. The holders of restricted licences will look for relief. Therefore, it would seem that the report of a commission comprised of all these elements would merely highlight the conflict that exists but if, on the other hand, a commission of disinterested parties were established they would be likely to be unanimous in their recommendations. Such a report, though, would be bound to be the subject of criticism and comment by the various interested bodies so that in the final analysis the decision would rest with me. In view of all these factors I am not convinced that the setting up of a commission would be the answer to this complex problem.
I appreciate the difficulty outlined by the Minister but would he not accept that there are some areas in which change could be effected by common consent? Admittedly there are other areas in which there are conflicting views but should these conflicting views be the justification for not doing anything? Obviously, it is a matter that needs to be tackled and if the Minister is not prepared to establish a commission, comprised either of vested interests or of independent members, is not some other form of action necessary?
I have warned against long statements at Question Time. We must move on to the next question.
Perhaps a number of the issues involved could be resolved separately by way of amendment but I am not satisfied that this would be the best way to deal with the matter.
Is the Minister prepared to leave the matter lie?
No. It is something that I must tackle. Consequently, it is on my list of priorities. I am proceeding with a very thorough examination of the problem and I hope that I will be able to bring before the Oireachtas a decision that will be acceptable.
I will be back for the decision.