Results 2,141-2,160 of 5,794 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: 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

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 important, and this is in the legislation as well. All the debate has been about licences and on licences and the serving of alcohol. I am interested, however, to get to the heart of licensing permutations and the different categories of venue and what licences might be granted for. As Senator Warfield said, there are also dance and music licences. I refer to the details of how...

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

James Lawless: On that point, does the NTA or Ms Graham have any views on the requirement for public transport police?

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. I thank Ms Graham. I have two questions, which probably come under the miscellaneous category. I will run through them quickly. Several of the opening submissions touched on a point, including those from the Mandate trade union and some of the alcohol groups. I think the phrase "drunken persons" is in the proposed legislation now and there is some provision for how such people...

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

James Lawless: There is an opportunity to strengthen those obligations. Dr. McAvoy wants to come in at this point.

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 Dr. Reynolds. My last question also comes under the miscellaneous category and is one that struck me during the course of our engagement. We had testimony from several speakers on the impact of excessive drinking on people's working life and day-to-day activities the next day. I remember a previous occasion on which the licensing laws were changed, 20 years ago or more, in respect...

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 has been a really useful and interesting engagement, for which I thank all the witnesses. We almost had a full house in the committee, although some members had to come in and out to attend other Oireachtas business. It has been a very strong attendance, which shows the interest in this topic. Credit must go to the witnesses, who are stakeholders in this matter, that there was such...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defective Building Materials (26 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: I thank the Minister for his detailed response. He addressed most of the points I raised. If he does not have time to respond further, he might take the following point away as a consideration. Management companies will play a central role in this, which is set out in the draft legislation and the scheme. There are still several legacy issues with management companies around the country....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defective Building Materials (26 Jan 2023)

James Lawless: At the outset I acknowledge the good work done by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and his team, the Minister of State and the Department in introducing this scheme which is badly needed. It has been some years or indeed decades in the making. It is delivering a programme for Government commitment so I acknowledge that and really welcome it....