Vol. 465 No. 6
26 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the conditions under which Tourism Quality Services Ireland will issue liquor licences to restaurants; the plans, if any, he has to review these conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10226/96]
Special restaurant licences are issued by the Circuit Courts subject to the conditions laid down in the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988 which is the responsibility of the Minister for Justice. One of these conditions is the requirement for the applicant for the licence to present a Bord Fáilte certificate. Any review of the conditions for the issue of special restaurant licences is primarily a matter for the Minister for Justice.
The Deputy may be referring to Bord Fáilte's decision to sub-contract to Tourism Quality Services Ireland Limited its inspection and associated functions in relation to the issue of certificates. The criteria to be met to qualify for a Bord Fáilte certificate are laid down in the Special Restaurant Licence (Standards) Regulations, 1988, which were made by the then Minister for Tourism and Transport, with the consent of the Minister for Justice, under section 12 of the 1988 Intoxicating Liquor Act.
Is the Minister of State aware of the environmental health officers' dispute which is having an effect on these licences in that currently they are not being made available? Does the Minister or any member of the Government intend to intervene in the dispute?
The Deputy will appreciate that this matter is not part of the Minister's remit. I am not in a position, therefore, to respond.
