Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 6

Written Answers. - Liquor Licensing Laws.

John Gormley

Question:

90 Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the effects that the proposed new pub trading hours will have on the valued employment provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10771/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. T. Kitt)

I am aware that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has a proposal before the Government to draft an intoxicating liquor Bill the effect of which will be, among other things, to extend the permitted hours of opening of licensed premises. Demand for change in our present licensing laws has come from publicans/hoteliers/restaurateurs and from their customers and has been influenced by competition-related considerations. I fully recognise and appreciate these marketplace realities.

The working arrangements for the proposed extended opening hours are, in the normal course of industrial relations, matters for negotiation between the employers concerned (and/or their representative organisations) and their workers (or, as appropriate, their representative organisations). It is difficult at this early stage to predict the likely employment effects of the additional hours – these will depend to a large extent on whether the rosters of the existing workers may be reorganised to absorb the extra hours. If not, the employers may have to resort to additional workers in which case the extended opening hours may produce a small employment dividend.

Of paramount importance in the latter context, however, is that the statutory rights and entitlements of workers employed in the licensed trade must be fully respected. In particular the rights of employees – and the corresponding obligations of employers – in relation to such matters as maximum working hours, hours of rest, night work, Sunday work and holidays as laid out in Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, must be observed. I have a special concern in this regard for the position of young workers in the trade. Indeed the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1996, prohibits the employment of 16/17 year olds beyond 10 p.m. a prohibition which operates to protect the interests of young workers both as regards their health and safety and as regards their schooling/education.

It is my intention to take, within the limits of the resources available to me, all possible and appropriate action to ensure that any new opening hours regime for licensed premises functions in a manner which upholds and supports the general working conditions for employees in the sector as prescribed by law. Labour law enforcement activity by my labour inspectorate will reflect this approach.