Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
897. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on the sale of alcohol Bill 2022; what engagements her Department has had recently with stakeholders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37169/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing extensive consultation with representative bodies in the licensed trade, businesses, public health bodies, consumers and communities, the General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill was published in October 2022. It marks the Government’s commitment to the reform and streamlining of licensing laws to support and stimulate the night time economy.
On 25 November 2021, I launched a public consultation to seek the views of the public on the modernisation of Ireland’s licensing laws.
The consultation, which ran until 21 January 2022, looked at how best to update the existing laws governing the sale and regulation of alcohol in Ireland. Members of the public, academics, sectoral groups and representative organisations were invited to complete an online survey and/or make a written submission to the Department.
The Department reviewed these responses to ensure the reform of the legislation takes account of and is informed by this engagement. A report on the responses received together with a selection of the submissions were published on 7 November 2022. On 10 March 2022, I also hosted a consultation webinar and panel discussion event on reform of the alcohol licensing laws to give an opportunity for further discussion of the issues of concern to stakeholders.
More recently, in January 2023, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice conducted two pre-legislative scrutiny sessions on the draft legislation. Academics, sectoral groups and representative organisations were invited to contribute to these sessions. The Committee published their report on 2 March 2023.
Officials within my department are engaging with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on the drafting of the Bill. Officials are also in ongoing consultation with other stakeholders, including the Gardaí, other Government Departments and stakeholder bodies such as those representing publicans, restaurants, hoteliers, stakeholders from the cultural and night-time entertainment sector as well as public health groups in order to progress associated matters.
An Implementation Group comprising of officials from the Department of Justice, the Courts Service and the Revenue Commissioners was established to assist with the smooth transition to the reformed licensing system. A number of bilateral meeting are also taking place in order to address specific queries and the requirements of each group.
