Seanad debates

Wednesday, 18 June 2003

Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Second Stage.

 

Section 12 prohibits the provision of entertainment during the 30 minutes drinking-up period permitted under existing provisions. Some Senators are not as expert as others on licensing law at closing times and some have never been in licensed premises when these hours have been reached. For that large majority in this House I explain that 12.30 a.m. is the latest closing time for ordinary pubs on a Friday night. However, with a special exemption a pub can trade until 2.30 a.m. In many cases, people are entitled to buy drink up to 2.30 a.m. and to continue drinking until 3 a.m. This effectively means that the dancing and drinking goes on until 3 a.m. This section provides that drinking-up time is also cooling-down time and that entertainment, in particular dancing, comes to an end at 2.30 a.m. in order that everyone will be nursing the remainder of their drinks and getting their coats to go home at that hour. I know that the House will welcome such a provision.

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