Jack Wall
Question:49 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when legislation to reform the licensing laws will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7222/99]
Written Answers. - Liquor Licensing Laws.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:68 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received communication from representative groups requesting changes in the liquor licensing laws; if he has considered the submission in the context of preparation for the tourist season of 1999; his intentions, if any, to introduce legislative changes to meet any proposals he has; the time-scale in respect of anticipated changes to the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7189/99]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:179 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number and nature of requests he has received in relation to possible changes in the liquor licensing laws; if he has responded positively or otherwise to any of these requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7403/99]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:186 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the communication, if any, he has received from the Vintners Federation of Ireland requesting changes in the liquor licensing laws with particular reference to closing time; if he has responded positively or otherwise to these requests; if not, if he will in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7411/99]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:187 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amendment, if any, he proposes to the liquor licensing laws in 1999; when the legislation will be brought to Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7412/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 68, 179, 186 and 187 together.
I have already circulated heads of my proposals for amendment of intoxicating liquor laws to Departments for observations as a preliminary to submission of them to Government for approval for formal drafting. The proposals will be submitted to Government in the very near future and the decisions made by the Government on the details will be announced in due course.
Deputies will appreciate that, having regard to the comprehensive and detailed nature of my proposals, it would be difficult at this stage, in advance of a Government decision and commencement of formal drafting, to indicate a precise timescale for publication of the Bill. However, I can say that it is my intention that the Bill be published as soon as possible this year.
My scheme of proposals follow on extensive consultations and meetings with representative groups. The proposals take account of the June 1998 report on liquor licensing laws by the Sub-Committee on Justice, Equality and Women's Rights and the September 1998 interim report of the Competition Authority. The proposals are also a response to the many submissions which have been received from groups and individuals, in response to the invitation, by way of advertisements placed by my Department in the national and local press in August 1998, for comments on our licensing laws. In excess of 70 written submissions were received. I can confirm that those submissions came from many representative groups including the Vintners Federation of Ireland. The various submissions were wide-ranging and covered many of the issues raised in the Oireachtas Committee's report concerning hours of trading, licensing and under-age drinking.