asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that intoxicating liquor licences are not being renewed for cattle marts throughout the country; and if he will consider introducing amending legislation in this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Intoxicating Liquor Licences.
10.
The Supreme Court, in a recent decision, held that sales at a cattle mart— or, at all events, ordinary periodic sales—were not special events for the purposes of section 11 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1962, and, consequently, it would appear that the courts are now precluded from granting occasional licences under that section for the purpose of authorising the sale of intoxicating liquor at marts during such ordinary sales. Following the decision of the Supreme Court I received representations on behalf of mart owners, which I am at present considering. While I have not yet had an opportunity of fully assessing the pros and cons of the matter, it may be taken that there might be very substantial objections to changing the law as now laid down by the Supreme Court—as is evidenced by the fact that the Supreme Court decision arose out of objections by licensed traders to the grant of occasional licences in respect of these sales. Even if the Government were to decide in due course that legislation in the matter was desirable, the position is that, because of the pressure of more urgent business, there would be no prospect whatever that the legislation could be introduced in the near future.