Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I know the Taoiseach is very much aware of the appalling killing of two young Polish men last week. I have previously raised the issue of the level of violence and the level related to alcohol or its availability. A review of off-licences was promised by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. When is it likely to be completed? It appears that there is considerable growth in the number of off-licences. According to Deputy Upton, there were 15 applications for planning permission for off-licences in her constituency in recent times, 14 of which were granted. We can all repeat this story.

I understand the Seanad has completed its consideration of the Defamation Bill but that it has not yet been introduced in the Dáil. One of its provisions concerns an arrangement whereby a judge can give a direction to a jury in a defamation case as to the amount of compensation that might be awarded. When is the Bill likely to be brought before the Dáil?

See this speech in context