Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

It is a public order Bill and is not entirely to do with drink-related offences, although clearly that is identified as the root cause of the problems. If people leave a pub in an intoxicated state and cause an affray outside a chip shop, a dance hall or wherever – it can be any sort of a congregating area – that has to be taken on board if there is disorder. Clearly it will impose extra responsibilities on the owner but it has to be included if we want to deal seriously with public order offences.