Seanad debates

Thursday, 24 October 2002

It would not be such a terrible thing – I voice this on an entirely speculative basis but would be interested to get the reaction of Senators – if local authorities were to be given a significant role in deciding what the opening times for various types of premises in their areas should be. It is easy to think of a small rural town which wants to close early and does not want its youth hanging around its chip shops at three and four in the morning. It is equally arguable that a one size suits all approach does not suit and that there should be all night cafes in large cities or in the centres of large cities. In the gaming and lotteries business, the amusement arcades were left to the discretion of local authorities which had to decide if they wanted to be like Bundoran, Ballybunion or wherever. In addressing the question that is increasingly being raised as to whether we were wise to extend licensing hours, there might be scope for simply saying it is a matter for people to choose and facilitating a varied approach across the country determined by local government.

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