Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022
482. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice if she plans to further amend legislation relating to the sale of alcohol in order that small supermarkets will be allowed in future to sell bottles and cans of beer without the need for a bar licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3107/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to ‘modernising our licensing laws and application processes’ and my Justice Plan 2021 commits to reviewing and modernising alcohol licensing.
As the Deputy may be aware, it is intended to bring forward legislation that will contain proposals to update the law relating to the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol in licensed premises and registered clubs, by replacing both the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2018 and the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2008 with streamlined provisions more suited to modern conditions. Codifying alcohol licensing law into a single Act will make it more accessible and user-friendly for the licensed trade, courts, Gardaí and the public. The creation of new categories of intoxicating liquor licences is foreseen in order to meet the needs of new areas of activity in the hospitality sector.
Any changes in alcohol licensing laws must be balanced with the need for regulation in the public interest, in particular public health and public order. Reforms will be developed with a supportive approach to businesses, and the interests of public health, consumers and communities will be central to implementation.
The position is that the sale of alcohol by retail outlets is subject to the premises having an appropriate licence issued by the Revenue Commissioners. There are important statutory provisions that govern the licensing of premises for the sale and supply of intoxicating liquor, and regulate such sale and supply. There is no plan to remove such requirements as all premises who wish to sell and supply intoxicating liquor must hold the appropriate licence.
