Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

One hundred and fourteen was chosen to reflect the number of local authorities in the country. Provision is made for a number of them to come together. With regard to the issue of practical successes off the top of my head I cannot state any from the 29 committees which are up and running. However, I know it has been successful in my area in that we have had interaction and complete understanding on particular problems in Drogheda. Councillors sometimes blame the Garda for not fully implementing the liquor laws. The reality, however, is that there is adequate provision in this regard within the intoxicating liquor legislation which local authorities have not implemented in terms, for example, of giving their advice to judges as to what they consider a due time for closure in the case of special exemption orders. This is something the Garda Síochána wishes to get across to local authorities.

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