Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 November 2023
247. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice if she intends to put a system in place to monitor changes in the night time economy and collate data for future reviews following enactment of the proposed Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51714/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill intends to modernise permitted opening hours, in line with the expectations and needs of today’s society and encourage the development of a modern and diverse night-time economy. The proposed legislation endeavours to strike a balance between maintaining strict controls and safeguards while providing much needed support to those involved in our night-time culture and economy.
The Department of Justice participates in the Night-Time Economy Taskforce which is administered by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The taskforce conducts intensive and ongoing stakeholder engagement with all relevant sectors and interested parties who have a significant role and interest in progressing the development of a vibrant and diverse night-time economy. This is to ensure that all views and ideas are considered in every aspect of this work, including the reform and modernisation of licensing laws. The taskforce will keep developments in the night-time economy under review.
My Department will continue to work with the Night-Time Economy Taskforce Implementation Group and key stakeholders operating in the Night-Time Economy to guage the impact of changes to licensing following the enactment of the proposed Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022.
The Department also engaged in an extensive consultation process with representative bodies in the licensed trade, businesses, public health bodies and advocacy groups, consumers and communities in relation to the proposed legislation. A public consultation, including an online survey and a request for submissions, ran from November 2021 until January 2022, where more than 5,000 responses were received. In addition, a webinar and panel discussion event was held on 10 March 2022.
While work on this Bill is progressing, it is my intention to bring forward, in the coming months, a shorter Bill to provide for key reforms including a Cultural Amenity Licence. The Cultural Amenity Licence is aimed at supporting the reinvigoration and expansion our night time economy sector in order to provide more diverse offerings reflective of contemporary Irish society.
My Department is actively working with colleagues in the Department of Tourism, Culture, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in relation to cultural amenity licences, and in particular, definitions, processes, standards and parameters of these licences and how they will operate within the sector.
