asked the Minister for Justice whether the Gárdaí at Bray, County Wicklow, have received instructions to inspect and watch every licensed premises there and to complete at regular intervals, a form showing the date of inspection, a note of observations, and remarks as to the persons who visited the premises; whether this procedure is considered to be desirable; and, if not, will he take steps to put an end to it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Inspection of Licensed Premises in Bray.
Mr. Boland
No instructions on the lines indicated in the Deputy's question have been issued to the Gárdaí in Bray or anywhere else.
Has any complaint reached the Minister from hotel proprietors in Bray that their premises are being visited and the name of every patron who enters their doors is being taken, and people are beginning to be reluctant to enter on any licensed premises, hotel or otherwise, in Bray lest it should establish a police record for them in that area?
Mr. Boland
I have not heard any complaint of that kind. If it had come to the notice of the Department, I would have been informed of it.
Such complaints have reached me, and I would be grateful if the Minister would undertake to look into the matter.
Mr. Boland
I have not heard of any. No instructions of that kind were given.
Such complaints have reached me from hotel keepers. Might I ask the Minister to inquire from the Commissioner, so that he may get whatever information is available?
Mr. Boland
No such instructions were ever issued, for Bray or anywhere else.
Will the Minister look into the matter?
Mr. Boland
I will inquire into it again, but that is my information.