Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

I suggest that common sense will have to prevail. If we are interested in the maintenance of public order and if, for instance, a facility is selling chips to people who are in an intoxicated state and thereby causing noise, disruption or violence, then the State must take action. If the owner is not in a position to exercise control over his customers at that hour of the night, he should close to avoid such a situation. The Bill includes the power to close the premises and this will put an onus on an owner to avoid situations where disorder would arise on his premises.