asked the Minister for Justice his views on whether a full theatre licence should be granted for the Belltable Arts Centre, O'Connell Street, Limerick so as to compete with similar theatres and concert halls in other parts of the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick.
52.
I presume the Deputy, in referring to a full theatre licence, has in mind the grant of a special liquor licence.
Special provisions, dating back to the last century, apply to the granting of special liquor licences to three Dublin Theatres and two in Cork. In addition, in view of the unique position which it occupies in the cultural life of the State. The National Concert Hall was enabled to obtain a special liquor licence under special legislation enacted in 1983.
Any other theatres or arts centres in Dublin or elsewhere in the country can be granted liquor licences only on the same basis as any other premises, which involves, inter alia, the extinguishing of one or more existing liquor licences.
Amending legislation would be required to enable The Belltable Arts Centre to be provided with a special liquor licence without meeting the criteria which normally apply to the grant of such licences. It is considered that any such legislation would have to be general in its application and not confined to this centre.
I have no proposals at present for such a major extension of the intoxicating liquor laws.