Results 2,241-2,260 of 5,902 for speaker:James Lawless

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: I am going to go to the next speaker and just to give an indication to the room, Senator Vincent P. Martin is next, followed by Senator Robbie Gallagher and Deputy Martin Kenny.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: I thank the Chairperson. His last question raised a very fair point. Senator Warfield made the same point earlier. We will take Dr. Gilheany first. If anyone else has something to say, I ask them to please catch my eye or raise their hand as we go on.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: The Public Health (Alcohol) Act and the new legislation appear to be diverging and moving in different directions. There is a consistency issue there. Senator Gallagher is joining us online. He has been following proceedings from his office. I welcome him to the floor.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: Thank you Senator. Who would like to respond?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: Thank you. Deputy Martin Kenny is next.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: This is per annum.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: Our final speaker for this engagement is Deputy Danny Healy-Rae. I will have a few questions of my own after that which I have been noting as we have gone along.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: Thank you, Deputy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: We have covered considerable ground, but there are a few items that may be of assistance. My first question is one I put, in a general sense, to the committee earlier. I think the Department of Justice has an adviser role to clarify any points. Much of the debate has been around the desirability of having cultural and socialising activities take place late at night, or at other hours...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: Will you come back to us before we produce a report? That would be very valuable. Perhaps you will be able to take advice on it and come back to us.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: Is it permissible under the current regulations for a venue to open as a theatre, cultural or music venue and serve alcohol to a point and then stop or not serve alcohol at all? Is it proposed to change that with this Bill? That would be quite instructive, because it would give us a better perspective on whether the ask is from the night sector to perform late, or to perform late while...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: A commercial assumption is being made there that the sale of alcohol is necessary to fund the social or cultural activity in the venue. Is that right?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: Will people drink or partake in cultural activities?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: Is one inextricably linked with the other? I am just trying to tease this out, because it is fundamental. Are we saying we wish to dance all night, or dance all night with drink in our hands? I do not know the answer. It is an important question, but I do not know how the legislation or debate frames this. It would be helpful to get to the bottom of this aspect because it does frame the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: That is a good point. The topic of fast food outlets is one that arises often. Frequently, although not always, the issue concerns people consuming alcohol on other premises and then congregating in numbers. This is probably a function of people all coming out at one time onto the streets. People are merging, excess alcohol can have been taken and this can spill over into brawls and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: What does mixed trading mean?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: A bar could stay open until midnight and then stay open until 3 a.m.-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: -----but not serving drink after that time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: If another venue was indifferent to drink or did not particularly need or want to serve it, such as a cafe or theatre that did not have a bar, could such it open late as the legislation stands?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: Okay