Vol. 480 No. 6
530 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will bring forward new legislation to discourage the selling of alcohol from private dwellings which is causing havoc in relation to anti-social behaviour in some areas and which gardaí seem powerless to prevent in view of the fact that the penalty is harmless; and the current regulations, if any, in this regard. [14995/97]
The law already prohibits the sale of intoxicating liquor by retail without a licence. Under section 7 of the Intoxicating Liquor (General) Act, 1924 it is an offence to sell, expose for sale, or keep for sale by retail any intoxicating liquor without being licensed to do so. Persons convicted of such an offence are liable to a fine of up to £ 50, with up to six months imprisonment in default of payment, and to for-feiture of all intoxicating liquor found in their possession. In addition section 50 of the Finance (1909-10) Act, 1910, as amended by the Finance Act, 1992, provides for a £ 1,000 penalty for the unlicensed sale of intoxicating liquor.
I shall take into account the Deputy's concerns in relation to the penalties for unlicensed trading in the context of any suitable amending legislation in this area. Amendment of the Finance Acts would of course be a matter for the Minister for Finance.
