asked the Minister for Finance the total number of licences for the sale of intoxicating liquors in force at the time of the enactment of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1927, and on the 1st January, 1966; and if he will give a breakdown of the total figures into categories such as off and on licences, hotel licences and other licences provided for by law.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Liquor Licences.
26.
Mr. Barrett
As the answer includes a tabular statement I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the information:—
LICENCES for the sale of Intoxicating Liquor.
|
Numbers issued during the year ended— |
||
|
31st March, 1927 |
31st March, 1965 |
|
|
Dealers: |
||
|
Spirits |
423 |
362 |
|
Beer |
627 |
529 |
|
Wine |
280 |
265 |
|
Sweets |
1 |
— |
|
Spirits of Wine |
13 |
16 |
|
Total Dealers |
1,344 |
1,172 |
|
Retailer's—“on”: |
||
|
Spirits (i.e. publicans): |
||
|
Full |
11,325 |
11,161 |
|
Six-day |
1,589 |
422 |
|
Early-closing |
89 |
37 |
|
Six-day and early-closing |
486 |
132 |
|
Beer, Cider and Perry: |
||
|
Full |
70 |
21 |
|
Six-day |
5 |
1 |
|
Six-day and early-closing |
2 |
— |
|
Wine and Sweets: |
||
|
Full |
33 |
247 |
|
Six-day |
1 |
— |
|
Sweets: |
||
|
Full |
1 |
1 |
|
Passenger Vessels: |
||
|
Annual |
3 |
11 |
|
One-day |
1 |
— |
|
Railway Restaurant Cars |
18 |
111 |
|
Passenger Aircraft |
— |
21 |
|
Total Retailer's “on” |
13,623 |
12,165 |
|
Retailer's—“Off” |
||
|
Spirits |
312 |
265 |
|
Beer, Cider and Perry |
326 |
265 |
|
Cider and Perry |
5 |
71 |
|
Wine and Sweets |
975 |
1,207 |
|
Sweets |
3 |
60 |
|
Total Retailer's “Off” |
1,621 |
1,868 |
|
TOTAL |
16,588 |
15,205 |
NOTES:
1. The Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1927, became law on 20th May, 1927. It is not possible to give the actual number of licences in force on that date. The number of licences issued during the year ended 31st March, 1927, is the best available indication as to the number in force at the passing of the Act.
2. Particulars of the number of licences in force on the 1st January, 1966, would be misleading as in an appreciable number of cases the process of annual renewal would not have been completed by that date. Accordingly, figures in respect of licences issued in the year ended 31st March, 1965, have been given.
3. Separate figures are not available in respect of all premises described as hotels which are licensed for the sale of Intoxicating Liquor. However, there were 482 hotel premises licensed on the 1st January, 1966, for which the licences were granted under the provisions of the Licensing (Ireland) Act, 1902. No corresponding figure for the year 1927 is available.
4. The expression "sweets" means any liquor which is made from fruit and sugar, or from fruit or sugar mixed with any other material, and which has undergone a process of fermentation in the manufacture thereof, e.g. home-made wines.