asked the Minister for Justice whether in view of recent court statements he will state whether orders for area extensions of licensed hours of trading which had been granted by the courts during recent months for periods in the coming tourist season will now be valid.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Licensed Trade: Extensions of Hours.
16.
I have not seen these statements but the answer to the question whether the orders referred to are now valid is in the negative.
I have the statements before me. Some of the Parliamentary Secretary's staff should draw his attention to these matters. He said he did not hear any complaints from Ballybunion. Would the Parliamentary Secretary visit some of these places? If he does he would want to bring some detectives with him because he might have to be guarded.
That is not a supplementary question; it is a statement.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary further aware that these licence holders and hoteliers are in a desperate way? Is he aware that when they applied for extensions they had to pay £5 for them? Will the Parliamentary Secretary tell us that this £5 will be restored?
I am afraid I do not get the point of the supplementary question.
In view of the fact that when the extensions were granted these people had to pay £5 into the court, will the Parliamentary Secretary tell me——
Does Deputy Murphy wish to ask a Supplementary?
I shall give way to the voice of Clare any time—the only man Clare has to speak for it in the House.
I do not mind about that. This matter has been the subject of discussion in a court in Clare recently. It was brought up by a solicitor from my own town. It was brought up because of the confusion which exists in regard to Area Exemption Orders. I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary to convey my views to the Minister. Further arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply——
The voice of Clare!
There is no collusion, I can assure the Deputy.
——in the interest of the tourist trade, in seaside resorts particularly, even at this stage would the Minister consider leaving the old law stand for the present tourist season until 1st October?
That is a different question altogether.
The answer to my question was most unsatisfactory and, with your permission, Sir, I shall raise it on the Adjournment.
The Parliamentary Secretary has been invited to Ballybunion. I invite him to a major tourist centre, Salthill. We will open his eyes in regard to this matter.
The question refers to Area Exemption Orders only. The Oireachtas, almost unanimously, agreed to the abolition of the Area Exemption Order——
No.
——as being fundamental to the purpose of the Bill. If it were to be retained it would involve a recurrence of the bona fide traffic. The whole purpose of the Bill was to get rid of that.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that the granting of these Orders is uniform throughout the country or that in fact there is a great discrepancy in the manner in which they are given? That is the bone of contention at the moment.
Is it a fact—I read it myself in the paper—that the people of Kerry have got an Exemption Order for the Fair of Puck?
That is a different matter.
Is it a fact? If it is, I do not see why the others would not come in.
Has Deputy Burke lost his voice?
Is Deputy Murphy objecting to the fact that Puck Fair has got an exemption?
Deputy Murphy and Deputy Palmer can have it out somewhere else.
I want to make it clear in reply to Deputy Murphy that the Area Exemption Order has been abolished by the 1960 Act, but the General Exemption Order has not. Puck Fair could qualify for a General Exemption Order.
17.
asked the Minister for Justice if orders which were granted to hotels and licensed premises by the courts in recent months for the extension of licensing hours on special occasions will now be valid.
The answer is in the affirmative.
The Parliamentary Secretary stated that the answer was in the affirmative. Does that include Area Exemption Orders?
Question No. 17 refers to Special Exemption Orders, and the answer with regard to Special Exemption Orders is in the affirmative.
But they were given in certain cases?
Any special exemption granted prior to the Act still remains in force.
Surely Special Exemption Orders cannot be given for a Sunday?
Any Special Exemption Orders granted before the passing of the Act remain in force.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that on Sunday last in the town of Rosscarbery the Gardaí acted completely contrary to what he has just said?
That is a separate question.
I put down this question and I am entitled to ask a supplementary on it. Will the Parliamentary Secretary tell me whether a Special Exemption Order granted prior to the passing of the Act is valid now?
The Deputy has put down two separate question. One deals with Area Exemption Orders. They are gone. The other refers to Special Exemption Orders. They remain.
Does that apply to Sundays?
I am calling on the Minister for Agriculture.
You will all have to get police protection when you go back to your constituencies.
Order! I have called Question No. 18.