Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I fully appreciate that not all pubs need a security man. Far be it from me to suggest they do. The great majority of public houses function perfectly well, managed effectively from behind the counter. Neither do most public houses need any form of CCTV. The truth is that most public houses do not pose any public order problems for anybody. In my own area of Ranelagh, some pubs are quiet while others are busy and employ security staff at certain hours, but that decision is made on the basis of the type of clientele they have, and whether or not it is reasonable to do so. I do not know if any of those pubs have CCTV, though I believe some do.

I am not talking about imposing new liabilities on people in the entertainment industry, if I may use that broad term. I am merely putting in place a basis on which, if the Garda visits a premises and says it is causing a nuisance locally, and suggests steps to be taken to reduce or avoid the nuisance, and the proprietor refuses to do so, or ignores the advice given, the Garda can bring the matter before a judge. The Garda may then state it believes certain steps must be taken to help the Garda maintain public order in and around that premises, and may ask the judge for support.