Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 Oct 1992

Vol. 423 No. 4

Written Answers. - Intoxicating Liquor Licences.

Peter Barry

Question:

80 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the extreme concern caused to many publicans by his decision to fix 1 October, 1992, as the deadline for publicans to have tax clearance certificates as one of the preconditions to having their licences renewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Finance (Mr. B. Ahern)

In the budget, I announced that the Finance Bill would contain provisions to enable me to extend tax clearance to licences such as those for pubs, dance halls, employment agencies, bookmakers and so on. It was decided to concentrate initially on liquor licences issued by the Revenue Commissioners. Accordingly, the Finance Act, 1992 (Section 156) provided for the presentation of a tax clearance certificate before an intoxicating liquor retailer's licence may be granted by the Revenue Commissioners.

I have been contacted by representatives of the publicans and arranged that they meet with the Revenue Commissioners to discuss any concerns they may have with the tax clearance requirements.

The Revenue Commissioners have informed me that the response from publicans and other intoxicating liquor licence holders to date has been very satisfactory. The Revenue Commissioners have made suitable arrangements to ensure that the minority of applicants for tax clearance whose tax affairs are in arrears will not be adversely affected should they require some time to bring their tax affairs up to date.