Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I welcome the fact that the Minister engaged in setting up the committee and I was pleased to have the opportunity to make a submission when the chairman and members of the group met with the all-party Dáil committee. I am somewhat surprised that the Minister is sticking to his stated aim of having legislation enacted by the summer. I would have thought that if he was looking for the type of all-party agreement that he was hoping for on the previous issue, then he might let us have a look at the report and publish it.

Does he accept that over the last five years his Government has been responsible for an explosion in the number of outlets? The number of theatre licences have increased by 30% in the last five years. Special exemption orders were up 11% last year to a massive 91,000. There have been very serious public order consequences of this Government decision. There has been a 57% increase in such offences covering the period since the introduction of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003.

Time is of the essence, but the democratic process ordains that we have an opportunity to debate and scrutinise any proposals. We should be allowed to see the intention of the Minister and his colleagues at the earliest date possible.

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