asked the Minister for Justice the number of (a) special exemptions and (b) festival extensions granted under the licensing laws in the year 1978.
Written Answers. - Licensing Laws Exemptions.
249.
(a) Because of communication difficulties caused by the postal dispute, it has not been possible to get figures from three district court clerkships. The number of special exemptions granted under the licensing laws in the rest of the country in the year ended 31 July 1978 was 34,361. I will forward the figures for the three clerkships I have referred to to the Deputy as soon as they come to hand.
(b) If by "festival extensions" are meant occasional licences or special exemption orders granted to festival clubs under section 13 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1962, I am afraid that separate statistics are not kept in respect of such licences or orders. If what is meant are exemption orders for special events provided for by section 10 of the Act, the position is that the number of exemption orders for special events granted in the year ended 31 July 1978 in the State, with the exception of five district court clerkships from which returns have not been received because of the postal dispute, was 337. I will forward the figures for the five clerkships I have referred to to the Deputy as soon as they come to hand.