Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that. I remind the House of a Private Members' Bill that an Teachta Cullinane and I moved at one stage, the Health (Parliamentary Oversight of Certain Instruments Relating to Covid-19) Bill 2021. This would have amended the Health Act 1947 and provided parliamentary oversight over regulations made by the Minister for Health. I am grateful to Dr. David Kenny of Trinity College who presented the idea to the Covid committee at the time, citing the law in New Zealand.

That Bill provided for time limits within which orders or resolutions under the Act would have to be confirmed by resolution of each House so that they can continue to have effect. Otherwise they would be annulled but without prejudice to any prosecution previously taken under the same regulations. That was an innovation that the OPLA introduced. That Bill proposed to enable either House of the Oireachtas by a resolution to annul such an order or regulations before the expiration of the time limit, again without prejudice to anything previously done. That is still my view and preferable to the way that things operate. I seem to be ad idemwith what has previously been said. It would rebalance the power between the Executive and the Parliament, as the latter would have to be given time to scrutinise any regulations or orders.

However, having moved on from the pandemic, today's debate is about licensing for the hospitality industry. We were promised that measures on a standing basis would be introduced. That does not seem to be happening, although I hear what the Minister is saying. Anything relating to the sale of alcohol and licensing of same contains obvious knock-on effects across public policy. It is disappointing that the Bill has seen seemingly little consideration of views from the stakeholders. In reply to another parliamentary question that was submitted, the Department admitted that five separate meetings with lobbying bodies were held but only one with Alcohol Action Ireland. There is, of course, a balance to be struck between the benefits of the night-time economy and outdoor hospitality and the consequent costs of same, but the lack of legal certainty over the provisions is not acceptable.

On a related note, the number of deaths on our roads closely but not directly linked with the consumption of alcohol is worrying. We have seen the latest statistics showing that Ireland had the highest increase in road deaths of any EU country. Behind each and every one of these is a family and community in mourning. Ireland is only behind Iceland in respect of percentages.

I note the Minister of State was having a cosy discussion about Wexford town centre. I am tempted to talk about Tralee town centre, the courthouse there and the decision that has been taken because so much work has been completed in obtaining a site for the new courthouse that it seems the relevant bodies are reluctant to turn around now. The only money being given is for Hammond Lane and it seems all the money is being diverted towards the prisons. While that is, of course, a good thing, the absence of money means it seems the courthouse is unlikely to be built until at least 2027. It is time to look at the An Post site and refurbish it, as was done in Kilkenny, and keep the town centre as vibrant as possible, because we all know it is not enough to have people living in the town centre. You have to keep the services there. This might be my last chance to mention the need to refurbish Tralee courthouse in this term.

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