Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That Dáil Éireann resolves that the period of operation of sections 1 to 7 and 9 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 (No. 14 of 2021) be extended for a period of 6 months, beginning on the 1st day of June, 2025 and ending on the 30th day of November, 2025.

Five years ago, we were all caught up in the events that arose from Covid. It had a remarkable impact, not just on the lives of Irish people but also in terms of the way business was done throughout the country. It also impacted the way business was done in this House. I do not look back on that time with any great enjoyment. It was a difficult time for the Irish people. It was also a difficult time for Members of the Oireachtas.

It will be recalled, however, that during that pandemic significant legislation was introduced by this House to respond to the real challenges faced. One group that faced enormous challenges were those in the hospitality sector. Owners saw their businesses closed overnight. The pandemic had very serious consequences for them in terms of profits and just in terms of keeping their businesses going. Fortunately, though, the State entered into the equation and provided significant and worthwhile supports that kept many of those businesses going. A year after Covid was identified, significant and decent efforts were made to try to get businesses back to normal and everyone's lives back to normal. One of the mechanisms by which we dealt with that effort was the enactment in these Houses of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021. It allowed the hospitality sector to continue to provide the sale and supply of intoxicating liquor in outdoor seating areas.

The pandemic meant that much of the legislation enacted at that time contained what were referred to as sunset clauses. They were included because no one in this House or outside it knew when the pandemic was going to come to an end and when we would be able to revert to ordinary life. As a result, it was decided that the clauses could be renewed every six months by the Houses of the Oireachtas. As Members will be aware, those resolutions were effected and carried by both Houses of the Oireachtas in November 2021, May 2022, November 2022, May 2023, November 2023, May 2024 and October 2024. I am here again seeking to have an extension to this sunset clause for another six months so the hospitality sector can continue to enjoy the benefits of outdoor hospitality. I hope this will be the last time that I or indeed any other Minister for Justice has to seek a resolution extending the sunset clause. It is probably the case that this will be the final or the penultimate extension sought by a Minister for Justice because earlier this week I secured leave from the Government to introduce and publish the general scheme of a criminal justice miscellaneous provisions Bill 2025. It will contain a provision that will in effect make permanent the provision we are seeking to renew here for another six months.

I am asking that this measure be rolled over for another six months because it will be to the benefit of the hospitality sector. It will also be to the benefit of people who engage and go to restaurants or pubs and want to sit outside having drinks or food. It has transformed very many of our towns and cities. It has been a positive development. It is not often we get great weather in Ireland, but in fairness to the Irish people when we do get good weather we prefer to socialise outside, particularly if we are enjoying a libation or some food. It is also important from the perspective of An Garda Síochána that its members know what is happening outdoors in terms of hospitality is lawful. This is why the renewed resolution is important as well. The Government considers it to be in the public interest to provide for the sale or supply of intoxicating liquor in certain circumstances in seating areas located outside licensed premises. It allows licensees of such premises to conduct business and to operate in these outdoor seating areas. It is important to extend this operational period for another six months so the hospitality sector and the Garda will have certainty. This is what I am here to seek. I am asking for the support of the House to roll over this resolution for another six months. As I said, I hope this will be the last time I am here. It is dependent on me getting the criminal justice (miscellaneous provisions) Bill 2025 enacted by November. I cannot guarantee that but I hope it will be the case.

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