Jackie Healy-Rae
Question:173 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consider reducing late night licensing hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14078/03]
Written Answers. - Liquor Licensing Laws.
The position is that in November last the Commission on Liquor Licensing placed advertisements in newspapers seeking submissions from the public and interested parties in relation to trading hours. I understand that a substantial number of responses was received by the commission.
Arising from its consideration of the issues involved and the submissions received, the commission recommended that closing time on Thursday night should revert to 11.30 p.m.. I intend to provide for this in the Intoxicating Liquor Bill which I will bring to Government shortly.
According to the final report, the commission was concerned that the later opening on Thursday nights was having an adverse impact on young people reporting for work or training, or turning up for classes or lectures on Friday mornings. No recommendations were made by the commission in relation to closing times on Friday or Saturday.
However, as the Deputy may be aware, the commission recommended a role for local authorities in relation to the duration of special exemption orders in their respective areas. Specifically, the commission recommended that where a local authority, having consulted with relevant interests including the Garda, formally adopts a resolution concerning the duration of special exemption orders in all or part of its functional area, the District Court shall have regard to any such resolution in granting such orders. I intend to give effect to this recommendation in the Bill that I have already mentioned.