asked the Minister for Justice if he will consider initiating legislation to amend the licensing laws so that closing time may occur at 11 o'clock or 11.30 throughout the year including Sundays.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Licensing Laws.
10.
When I am considering the introduction of amending legislation I shall bear in mind any representations that have been or may be made in regard to the permitted opening hours of licensed premises.
Did the Minister say he is at the moment considering amending legislation?
If I might say to the Deputy, I receive constant representations with regard to the licensing laws and these are considered as they come in. But in the sense of any legislation being contemplated at an early stage, the answer is "no". I keep an eye on the licensing laws all the time.
I wonder would the Minister now take cognisance of the growing demand for teenage drinking? Would he introduce, at this stage, a recognition permit for drinkers of 18 years of age?
I wonder would the Minister care to comment on the remarks of the judge in Naas yesterday when he said he would refuse to extend the licensing laws for any reason whatsoever.
That would seem to be a separate matter.
It would not be proper for me to comment on judicial remarks.
The Minister did so once or twice before.
No, I never did.
I am prompted to ask a supplementary question in regard to the licensing laws on Sunday evening in summer time for rural people. Farmers busy during the week —Sunday being their only evening off—can be seen outside public houses at 10 o'clock on a summer Sunday evening, when they could be there until 11.30 p.m. on a Monday evening. On a Monday evening they are still working in the meadows——
I must have a question, please.
Would it be possible for the Minister to implement an extension on Sunday evenings and a reduction on weekdays?
I have sympathy with the point of view put forward by the Deputy but, if the laws were to be changed, they would have to apply to the entire country and not just to the deserving rural area the Deputy mentioned. Quite frankly, a problem with regard to extending Sunday hours is that there is already a very high level of absenteeism being experienced on Monday mornings, which is a consideration.
Would the Minister state now what are the administrative difficulties with regard to the issue of recognition cards for drinkers of 18 years or over?
That would seem to be a separate matter, Deputy.
I am told that there are administrative difficulties with regard to the under 18s and over 18s. As far as we in Limerick are concerned, we can see how easy it is——
I am afraid Deputies are tending to debate this matter. I cannot allow a debate nor can I allow a widening of the subject matter contained in the question. Deputies will have to seek another opportunity.
We have reached a situation where alcoholism is now being regarded in the same category as drug addiction.
The Deputy is tending to widen the scope altogether.
The Minister has indicated that, because there are administrative difficulties, he cannot introduce regulations. I want to know what are the administrative difficulties which prevent the Minister from debarring 18-year-olds and under from licensed premises. I want to know and I shall get an answer now.
It might assist the Deputy were I to say that I share his concern at the incidence of teenage drinking. But the best way to deal with it is for the Deputy and other people who are concerned to bring to the notice of the Garda authorities a licensed premises where this abuse is practised. That would be much more effective, I think, than the administrative difficulties that would be involved in introducing a system of identity cards. That is not to say I have totally ruled out some such system but there are very great difficulties which are under examination.
How does a publican recognise an under-age person or how can he say to somebody: "You cannot have a drink here"?
That is a separate matter altogether. It does not arise. The Chair is the judge of those matters. Question No. 11.
(Interruptions.)
The same way as a bookie can recognise an under-age person.
The Chair has called the next question.
(Interruptions.)
Will Deputy Loughnane and Deputy Coughlan please resume their seats?
Deputy Coughlan wants to see teenage alcoholism obliterated but the Minister is not facilitating us in what we want to do in regard to identification cards. It is very simple.