James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I certainly hope it is the last time. It is somewhat out of my control. I suspect that, at this stage, it will be next government that finally brings in a Bill. The Government gave approval on 25 October 2022 to the general scheme of the alcohol Bill. This seeks to reform and replace the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2018 and the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2008. The Minister intends to deliver on the commitments made in the programme for Government and the Justice Plan 2023. However, she would point out that this is a very large and complex area of legislation. She has indicated her intention to separate the sale of alcohol Bill into two Bills. She intends first to introduce the shorter intoxicating liquor Bill 2024, which will introduce a number of key reforms and modernisation. I certainly hear the Deputy. This continuation is really important. Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann was an extraordinary success for County Wexford, for Wexford town and, as the Deputy has previously acknowledged, for all of those involved including the county council, the Civil Defence, An Garda Síochána, the National Ambulance Service and all of the volunteers who were involved in it. I will get in trouble now because I have certainly left somebody out.

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