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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 25 Oct 2001

Vol. 543 No. 1

Written Answers. - Liquor Licensing Laws.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

215 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans he has to deregulate the pub trade; when the commission on liquor licensing intends to review the licensing regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25785/01]

The Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2000, which I introduced and which came into effect on 6 July 2000, made provision for significant and far-reaching reforms of the State's liquor licensing laws. With a view to continuing the important work of reforming the liquor licensing code, I established the Commission on Liquor Licensing in November 2000 under the chairmanship of Mr. Gordon Holmes.

The terms of reference of the Commission are as follows: to review the liquor licensing system in the light of all relevant factors, including systems for the licensing of alcohol in other countries, and to make recommendations for a liquor licensing system geared to meeting the needs of consumers, in a competitive market environment, while taking due account of the social, health and economic interests of a modern society; in particular, to review the scope for a system of additional licences; to examine demand in areas that are under-pubbed, new areas of increasing population, and tourist areas; to examine other aspects of the licensing system, such as licences for theatres and places of public entertainment, the licensing of residential accommodation which does not come under the definition of an hotel, interpretative centres and other places where the sale of alcohol is ancillary to the main business carried out; to examine the nature of the off-licence and particularly the method of access to the off-licensed trade in the interests of promoting better competition; to inquire into other aspects of the licensing code, as may be appropriate; to make recommendations for any necessary legislative changes to give effect to the recommendations put forward; to submit a report within three months of the first meeting on paragraph 3 of its terms of reference and a final report within two years of the first meeting on all other matters.

In line with these terms of reference, the commission presented an interim report on off-licensing to me in April of this year. This report contains recommendations relating to dormant licences, under-age drinking, access to off-licences and certain related matters. I subsequently obtained Government approval to publish the interim report.

By way of response to the commission's recommendations on access to off-licences, the Government has noted my intention to bring forward proposals for legislation in relation to the off-licensed sector at the earliest opportunity. The preparatory work is at an early stage in my Department. This is not a simple task, however, given the complexity of existing legislation in this area. Indeed, the commission itself refers in the interim report to "the morass of licensing laws".

The Government subsequently requested the commission to produce and submit additional interim reports on issues which can be progressed in advance of the commission's final report at the end of 2002. I am pleased to say that the commission has responded positively to this request and I understand that a number of sub-committees have been established to look at specific areas within the liquor licensing code.
I understand that the commission is unable to say at present when further interim reports are likely to be ready for submission.
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