Vol. 428 No. 5
19 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to a large number of guesthouses with ten or more bedrooms which are prevented under the Intoxicating Liquor Laws from providing alcoholic beverages to tourists; and if she will consider the matter with a view to liberalising the licensing laws.
The existing licensing laws already provide that such premises can obtain hotel licences once they comply with certain statutory criteria and are registered with Bord Fáilte as hotels. The definition of an hotel for these purposes is that it must contain at least ten, or, if situated in a county borough, e.g. the cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway, 20 apartments set aside and used exclusively for the sleeping accommodation of travellers.
Guest houses which do not qualify for full licences under those provisions may obtain a wine-on licence with relatively little formality.
I have no plans at present to amend the licensing laws with regard to guest houses.
