Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 3

Written Answers. - Liquor Licensing Laws.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

474 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to extend nightclub trading hours following the proposed extension of pub licensing hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9790/99]

Conor Lenihan

Question:

480 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has considered the concerns of the night club industry (details supplied) when drawing up legislative changes regarding pub opening hours. [9808/99]

Theresa Ahearn

Question:

493 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to introduce legislation to govern the operation of night clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10062/99]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 474, 480 and 493 together.

I have already indicated to the House that a scheme of an intoxicating liquor bill has been prepared in my Department to 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 in the scheme 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. These include written submissions from the nightclub sector. I have also had the benefit of extensive consultations and meetings with representative groups, including representatives of the nightclub sector.

The heads of my proposals in that scheme have reached the stage where a Government decision on the details can be expected in the very near future.