Vol. 526 No. 1
236 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the membership and terms of reference of the Commission on Liquor Licensing; when the commission will report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25747/00]
The terms of reference and membership of the Commission on Liquor Licensing, which I have established with the approval of the Government, are as follows: to review the liquor licensing system in the light of all relevant factors, including systems for the licensing of alcohol in other countries, and to make recommendations for a liquor licensing system geared to meeting the needs of consumers in a competitive market environment while taking due account of the social, health and economic interests of a modern society; in particular, to review the scope for a system of additional licences; to examine demand in areas that are under-licensed, new areas of increasing population, and tourist areas; to examine other aspects of the licensing system, such as licences for theatres and places of public entertainment, the licensing of residential accommodation which does not come under the definition of an hotel, interpretative centres and other places where the sale of alcohol is ancillary to the main business carried out; to examine the nature of the off-licence and particularly the method of access to the off-licensed trade in the interests of promoting better competition; to inquire into other aspects of the licensing code as may be appropriate; to make recommendations for any necessary legislative changes to give effect to the recommendations put forward; to submit a report within three months of the first meeting on paragraph 3 of its terms of reference and a final report within two years of the first meeting on all other matters.
Membership of the CommissionMr. Gordon Holmes, Solicitor, Limerick, Chairman
Mr. Edward Sharkey, Registrar, Bord Fáilte
Ms Carmel Foley, Director of Consumer Affairs
Ms Isolde Goggin, Competition Authority
