Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 24 Feb 2000

Vol. 515 No. 2

Written Answers. - Liquor Licensing Laws.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

212 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will bring forward appropriate amendments to the liquor licensing legislation which would establish the requirement that an applicant for a new excise licence to sell intoxicating liquor in a rural area would be required to purchase just one licence rather than two as is the requirement under existing legalisation; the steps, if any, he will take to consolidate existing licensing law legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5731/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The Intoxicating Liquor Bill is in the course of being drafted for publication in this session and will provide, among many other matters, for a new licence to be issued in substitution for an existing licence subject to certain conditions. The full details will be announced by way of publication of the Bill. The Bill will aim, where possible, at a measure of consolidation of existing law in those areas comprehended by the Bill. Short of that, the Bill will try to ensure that the provisions it contains are as self-contained as possible without the need for reference to other provisions in the law.