Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013
750. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce the Sale of Alcohol Bill with particular reference to the introduction of an award system for licensees who adhere to good practice and who are fully compliant with regulations and legislation in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57990/12]
View answerThe position is that the recently-published Government Legislation Programme provides for publication of the Sale of Alcohol Bill in late 2013. The Bill will modernise the laws relating to the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol products by repealing the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2011, as well as the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2008, and replacing them with streamlined and updated provisions.
Holders of licences for the sale of alcohol products are required to comply with the provisions of the Licensing Acts and failure to do so may result in prosecution and, if convicted, the imposition of sanctions, including temporary closure orders and fines. In the forthcoming Sale of Alcohol Bill, I intend to retain the existing provision whereby the licences of licensees who remain of good character and operate their premises in a peaceable and orderly manner are renewed automatically by the Revenue Commissioners on payment of the prescribed fee. On the other hand, licensees who have been convicted of licensing offences may face the prospect of objections to licence renewal in the District Court. In such cases, the Revenue Commissioners may not renew the licence concerned unless the licensee obtains a new District Court certificate.
