Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

No, they are not. The Minister's party has shirked from dealing with the concept of a nightclub in a regulatory manner. He is in denial and does not accept such a concept exists. It will just be a fig leaf of a dancing area in an ordinary seven-day public licensed premises.

The Minister facilitated loopholes with theatre licenses until a committee told him to call a halt. If it were not for that particular amendment, the Bill would contain no new provisions. The Minister should not talk about introducing regulation when the Government has consistently shirked from dealing with change in the retailing of alcohol to meet the needs of a modern society.

My amendment would have for the first time recognised in law the status of a nightclub. There is no current distinction between a nightclub and a bar. It has not been recognised in law when it should be. It is regrettable the Minister is not taking this point on board.

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