Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 Jun 1995

Vol. 454 No. 3

Written Answers. - Publicans' Licences.

Séamus Hughes

Question:

97 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Finance the number of seven-day intoxicating liquor licences renewed for each of the years 1990 to date in 1995; the number of tax clearance certificates applied for in respect of this category of licence since the commencement of the present licensing period; and the estimated number of such licences which have not been renewed since the introduction of tax clearance. [10674/95]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the total number of seven-day intoxicating liquor licences (commonly known as publicans' licences) issued by Customs and Excise in the calendar years in question are as follows:

1990	10,279
1991	10,670
1992	6,495
1993	10,035
1994	9,349
1995	4,119
(to end of May)

The licensing year for the main intoxicating liquor licences, including publicans's licences, runs from 1 October to the following 30 September. Because many publicans who applied for tax clearance, after it was introduced in October 1992, were initially unsuccessful (because their tax affairs were not in order) but subsequently were successful in 1993, there is a marked reduction in the figure shown for the 1992 calendar year when compared with figures quoted in previous calendar years. In other words, many licences which would in previous years have been renewed before the end of December were not in fact renewed until between January and September of the following year.

As regards tax clearance, I am informed by the commissioners that as the Collector-General's Office does not maintain a record of applicatons for tax clearance by reference to the different categories of intoxicating liquor licences, it is not possible to give separate figures for holders of publican's licences. However, the current overall position in respect of the licensing year 1 October 1994, to 30 September 1995 is that out of a total of 12,780 applications for tax clearance certificates in respect of intoxicating liquor licences (including publicans' licences, manufacturers' licences, dealers' licences etc.) which have been received 11,735 applications have been approved while the balance are under consideration.

The commissioners have also informed me that as information is not readily available on the number of licences which have not been renewed since the introduction of tax clearance it has not been possible to provide this figure in the time allowed. However, this information is being compiled at the moment and I will provide it to the Deputy when it becomes available.