James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There are two definitions of temporary. One is short term and the other is non-permanent and how long is a piece of string in between? In the context of 200-year-old alcohol legislation, which is quite complex, it is challenging to draft up the permanent legislation. Obviously, one could do a piece simply on this but we want to do a bit more reform on alcohol legislation. The Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, expects to have that early next year, around February. I cannot give certainty as to how quickly that legislation will pass through the Houses.

That is not always in our control but I acknowledge everybody is anxious to see that reform carried out as quickly as possible. I beg the indulgence of the House in this regard. It is a positive motion, of which everyone is in favour, and we want to address this on a permanent basis as soon as possible.

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