Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

I hope the Minister will take these amendments on board. Although there is scope to improve them further, they succeed in addressing an issue of significant concern. This is a problem that exists not only in this city but also in small towns throughout the country where everybody spills out of the pubs and onto the streets at the same time to congregate at the one or two chip shops that are open. People who have consumed alcohol tend to bump into each other and a fracas invariably ensues.

Staggered opening on a sequential basis allows for greater control over the activities of people who have consumed alcohol in public houses and nightclubs. It is estimated that some 500,000 people will be converging on the streets at the same time in the towns and cities of Ireland. Given that the Garda Síochána is already overstretched, it is an unreasonable proposition that it be tasked with ensuring public order in those circumstances.

Amendment No. 52 would allow for a degree of sequential opening. This would ensure that people who do not wish to frequent nightclubs can go home secure in the knowledge that transport will be available, whether on a late-night bus, if they are lucky enough to be in Dublin city, or by taxi. Likewise, by the time people are leaving nightclubs, whether at 3 a.m., 3.30 a.m., 4 a.m. or even later, taxis would be available to take them home. There would be no large disgorging of people at the same time. Most people I know wish to go home long before 4 a.m. While many young people might be able to dance the night away, it is a long time since I have managed to stay out dancing until 4 a.m.

In a modern society, we must consider what is the appropriate degree of regulation to impose on people's enjoyment. We must ensure the potential for disorder is reduced while facilitating those who wish to frequent nightclubs and so on. Part of the proposed amendment would address that. As it stands, the legislative proposal is a recipe for disaster. Hopefully that will not happen, however, and the Minister will have the wit to take on board what Deputy Charles Flanagan and others have been trying to point out, that 500,000 people coming on to the streets at the same time will do the exact opposite to what was intended when the Bill was first introduced. At that time, we were told the legislation was to tackle anti-social behaviour, public disorder, late night drinking and everything associated with it. I welcome most of the Bill's provisions, which will have far-reaching consequences and will hopefully reduce many of the problems in urban areas, particularly those concerning off-licences. However, the proposal to have everybody coming on to the streets at once will not serve any useful purpose and is a retrograde step.

If we had had more time to tease out the Bill in committee, including presentations from those working in the drinks industry and hospital staff, we might have been able to come up with a reasonable proposal along the lines of Deputy Flanagan's amendment. That would allow Ireland to be modern, while beginning to tackle the drink culture in our society, including the disorder that occurs every week. Thankfully, according to the most recent statistics, it has been reduced, but if this Bill is enacted I do not think that reduction will last long. I believe we will see an increase in drunk and disorderly behaviour, in addition to associated problems.

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