Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Flanagan asked in whose name the licence would be held. Section 1(2) provides the license shall be issued "on application to them being made in that behalf by the operator of the Convention Centre or a person nominated by such operator". This would, more than likely, be the nominee of the operator. It would be decided on an annual basis who would be the nominee to apply for the licence. Lest anyone think it can, the licence cannot be transferred to other premises. However, it can be transferred to another nominee of the operator.

Deputy Flanagan also asked whether the prohibition on Good Fridays, Christmas Day or a Sunday would apply to the conference event. If a conference is being held and there is a conference event, the facility could, conceivably, be open on a Good Friday. However, if it was a non-conference event, it would not be open because the normal rules would apply.

See this speech in context