Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 22 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 5

Written Answers. - Liquor Licensing Laws.

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

Section 18 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2000 makes general provision for the granting of licences in respect of premises to which a full licence was never attached, subject to compliance with certain conditions. However, there is no special provision within the liquor licensing code relating to the granting of licences to community groups to allow them to serve alcohol in a community centre.

Provisions regarding registered clubs, including those relating to the supply and consumption of intoxicating liquor, are contained in the Registration of Clubs Acts, 1904 to 2000. Section 29 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2000, provides that a registered club shall not hold any function in its premises unless the function is for the benefit of the club as a whole, is related to the club's objectives, is organised by the club and only members of the club and their guests are present at it. These conditions do not, however, apply to a function where the whole proceeds, after deducting the expenses of the function, are devoted to community, charitable or benevolent purposes.