Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Mar 1988

Vol. 378 No. 10

Written Answers. - Ballroom and Dancehall Act, 1935.

90.

Mr. Quinn

asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the residents in the vicinity of a ballroom (details supplied) in Dublin 2 have on a number of occasions brought to the attention of the Garda the fact that the conditions of the licence granted under the Ballroom and Dancehall Act, 1935, to that ballroom have been breached; that the Garda have failed to date to effectively investigate these allegations and have failed to inform the local residents of their rights in relation to access to information relating to the number of licence extensions the proprietor of the ballroom proposes to have in the course of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

91.

Mr. Quinn

asked the Minister for Justice if he has satisfied himself that the Garda have adequate resources of personnel and equipment to supervise and administer the Ballroom and Dancehall Act, 1935, in relation to compliance with all of the conditions of a licence in respect of ballrooms which are located in built-up areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Collins)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 91 together.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the enforcement of the Public Dance Halls Act, 1935, is receiving as much attention as possible having regard to the resources available to the Garda and the other demands on their services.

The Garda authorities have also informed me that alleged breaches of the conditions of the licence for public dancing, attached to the ballroom referred to in the first question, have been brought to their notice. These allegations have been fully investigated but no breaches of the conditions attached to the licence in question have been detected. I am informed also that the Garda authorities have made arrangements for special attention to be given to the patrolling of the streets in the vicinity of this ballroom.

As regards the rights of local residents, the 1935 Act provides that any person wishing to object to the grant of a licence for public dancing may do so at the hearing of the application in the District Court. I understand that persons who reside in the vicinity of the ballroom in question did in fact object to the issue of the licence and that following many adjournments the licence was granted on 18 December 1987 subject to a number of conditions and restrictions. As licences for public dancing are renewable annually it will be open to any person so interested to object at the annual licensing court in September.