Mary Upton
Question:42 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Finance further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 261 of 17 April 2002, the position in this regard. [2258/03]
Written Answers. - Theatre Licence.
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a theatre licence under section 7 of the Excise Act, 1835, was granted to the premises referred to on 19 December 2001. This licence expired on 30 September 2002. A notice-application form for a theatre licence for the year ending 30 September 2003, issued on 13 September 2002. To date no such application has been received. The normal follow-up procedures that apply to cases where a new licence has not been applied for are being followed.
The licensing year runs from 1 October to 30 September. The normal procedures are as follows: application forms for new licences are sent out early in September; reminder notices issue early in the new year to those who have not applied; once all the resulting applications have been dealt with a further reminder issues; outstanding cases are then listed and a Revenue official calls out to determine if the premises is trading without a licence; if the premises is trading without a licence court proceedings ensue; and the maximum penalty that applies is a fine of €1,270.
The Revenue Commissioners are the licence issuing authority. The day-to-day monitoring of these licences is the responsibility of An Garda Síochána. A letter issued from Revenue to the chief superintendent of the Garda Síochána at Pearse Street, Dublin 2 on 16 April 2002, asking that the sale of intoxicating liquor at the premises be investigated. A reply dated 24 May 2002 was received stating that the premises "is regularly inspected by the Garda and nothing has come to notice to suggest that there is a breach of the intoxicating liquor licensing laws taking place."