Vol. 363 No. 5
asked the Minister for Justice if he will immediately consider amending the licensing law that requires mandatory endorsement of publicans' licences on conviction by instead allowing the district justice to have discretion as to whether a particular offence merits a fine, an endorsement, or both, on the basis that there must be some relationship between the offence and the punishment.
64.
asked the Minister for Justice if he recently received a submission from the Vintners' Federation of Ireland recommending certain changes in the law concerning the endorsement of a publican's licence; if he agrees with the recommendations; and, if so, when the relevant legislation will be introduced.
Limerick East): It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 15 and 64 together. I have seen a copy of a document entitled “Endorsement of a Publican's Licence” prepared by the Vintners' Federation of Ireland and dated January 1986, in which recommendations are made for changes in the endorsement system.
The Government recently approved proposals for the amendment of provision in the licensing laws which are considered to be an impediment to the full development of the tourist trade. My Department are carrying out a more general review of these laws, which are also being examined by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Legislation. The provisions regarding endorsement of licences will of course be considered in the context of that review, but it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the merits of any particular proposals for change until the review has been completed.
