Seanad debates
Wednesday, 18 June 2003
Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Second Stage.
Other amendments of the Intoxicating Liquor Acts are included in Part 3, including, in particular, amendments relating to persons under the age of 18 years as set out in Part IV of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988. Section 10 provides that Thursday night closing time will revert to 11.30 p.m. instead of 12.30 a.m. The Commission on Liquor Licensing has recommended this change, which is also in line with the recommendations of the strategic task force on alcohol. At the recent joint committee meeting Deputy Deasy asked me to consider making this change for Fridays and Saturdays also. I have not received a recommendation from either of the expert bodies to that effect. Also, although I know he feels a mistake was made in the year 2000, this measure is enough for the moment. Next year, in the context of the consolidating and codifying legislation and a broad review of licensing law and policy, this issue can be revisited. We will then see whether there is public demand for the revisiting of the hours then in force.
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