Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 23 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 5

Written Answers. - Liquor Licensing Laws.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

105 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has considered appointing, by way of additional membership, to the recently established Commission on Liquor Licensing, representatives of registered clubs involving different sports activities throughout the country who have within their club premises licensed bars which sell alcohol and who will be affected by any changes in the licensing laws; and if, having regard to the relevance of the work of the commission to registered clubs, bearing in mind that the commission will be required 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, he will at this stage appoint a representative of the registered clubs in order to ensure that their voice is heard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27111/00]

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

The Liquor Licensing Commission that I established on 14 November 2000, with the approval of the Government, is broadly representative of interest groups. While a group representative of some major national sporting organisations was in consultation with me about membership of the commission and an offer of membership was made by me, the position is that the group declined the offer in favour of making submissions to the commission in due course. My understanding is that the group, in making its decision, was influenced by the terms of reference of the commission which extend well beyond their own particular interests.