asked the Minister for Justice when he proposes to introduce legislation to permit restaurants to sell alcoholic drink other than wines and thus introduce an element of competition and additional service to persons, including tourists, who frequent such establishments.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Licensing Legislation.
16.
In view of the terms of the question, I should like to make it clear that I have not at any time said that I have any proposals to introduce legislation on the lines suggested. The references that I have made to proposed licensing legislation have been to the effect that I hope to introduce a Bill that may help to counteract certain abuses leading to excessive drinking, especially by young people.
If the Government decide that amendments should be included either in that or in a later Bill to make some other changes in the licensing laws, the proposals will of course come before the House in the normal way.
Would the Minister not agree that the likely effect of making the kind of change referred to in the question would be to increase revenue to the Exchequer and perhaps therefore lessen the amount of the increases which the Minister for Finance may desire to put on these beverages in his budget?
I refer the Deputy to the Minister for Finance.
Has the Minister any views on this question?
Of course, I have.
Would the Minister give the House the benefit of those views and say whether he approves or not of the change in this regard?
The Deputy knows well that my views will be brought to the Government and the decision will be brought to the House.
Would the Minister not accept that he will be out of office before any decision will be made?