Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To respond first to Deputy McNamara, his interpretation is not correct. An outdoor seating area is clearly defined as an area "abutting the premises". That is the area we are talking about here.

Regarding the number of seated patrons, which was raised by Deputies Howlin and Mattie McGrath, the number of seated patrons who can be accommodated in the area must not exceed the number of patrons who may be accommodated in the licensed premises. In addition, the area should contain sufficient seating to accommodate this number of seated patrons, cannot contain any counter or barrier across which intoxicating liquor can be served to the public, and the sale or supply of intoxicating liquor by the licensee in this outdoor seating area should not be the primary purpose of the business. This is a common-sense provision to ensure that the licensee is managing the number of patrons that he or she is used to having on the premises.

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