asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that there is a widespread demand amongst both the licensed traders and the public for uniformity as regards licences and hours of trading; and if he will make provision in the proposed Licensing Bill for the same hours and conditions of trading for six day licences as is proposed for seven day licences, including Sunday opening.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hours of Trading in Licensed Premises.
27.
I do not accept the implications of the first part of the Question. On the contrary I think that it is highly probable that the general body of licensed traders would be opposed to such a proposal, since any benefits it would confer on particular traders would be at the expense of the existing seven-day licence-holders. Nor do I accept that there is any ground, in the public interest, for such a change since it is well recognised that there is scarcely a town or village in the country in which there are not already more seven-day licences than is warranted by the needs of the public.