Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Nov 2001

Vol. 543 No. 2

Written Answers. - Liquor Licensing Laws.

Dick Spring

Ceist:

688 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the licensing laws will be amended to allow for the provision of off-licences for proprietors of family owned supermarkets in accordance with the recommendations of the Commission on Liquor Licensing. [26360/01]

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

In line with its terms of reference, the Commission on Liquor Licensing presented an interim report on off-licensing to me in April of this year. The 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 relating to access to off-licences, the Government noted my intention to bring forward proposals for legislation at the earliest opportunity. The preparatory work on the legislation is at an early stage in my Department. However, given the complexity of the law in this area and the Government's existing published legislative programme, it is not possible, at this stage, to indicate precisely when the proposals for further legislation to amend the licensing laws will be ready for publication.