Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 6

Written Answers - Liquor Licensing Laws.

Austin Deasy

Question:

149 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals, if any, he has to introduce a scheme of licensing for supermarket outlets under the liquor licensing laws which will allow them to purchase licences at a reasonable cost rather than the present system which is financially prohibitive; if there has been any directive from the EU in relation to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28144/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I have already informed the House, in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 377 of 15 December 1998, that a review of the licensing laws is currently taking place in my Department arising from the publication of the report on liquor licensing laws by the Sub-Committee on Legislation and Security of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Women's Rights as well as the interim report of the Competition Authority, and that it is my intention to bring forward the Heads of a Bill for the Government's consideration in the early part of the new year.

The review of the licensing laws takes into account the many submissions which have been received in response to the invitation, by way of advertisements placed by my Department in the national and local press on 4 August 1998, for comments on the Oireachtas report. I can confirm that a submission was received in relation to the licensing arrangements for supermarket outlets. My Department is, however, unaware of any EU Directive in relation to the issue.