Vol. 483 No. 3
346 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals, if any, he has to amend the licensing laws with a view to making extra public house and road house licenses available; if his attention has been drawn to the growing demand for extra licenses in areas of large urban development and in areas of major tourism development; and if he will make a statement on the number of public house licenses held in this country on a county basis. [20495/97]
I have no plans at present to amend the liquor laws with a view to increasing the number of licences. However, the Deputy will be aware that the Competition Authority is currently undertaking a study of the impact of those laws on the retail drinks market. When the report of the Competition Authority is published, any recommendations it may make in relation to the liquor licensing laws will be given detailed consideration in my Department.
I am not in a position to comment on the number of public house licences on a county by county basis. The agency responsible for issuing such licences is the Revenue Commissioners.
