Seanad debates

Wednesday, 18 June 2003

Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Second Stage.

 

I fully agree with transferring certain responsibilities from the equality tribunal to the District Court. People can still seek redress before the District Court. Sometimes when people think of equality they take the concept literally. We have had a situation in my town where, for funerals involving specific families, the Garda have gone around days in advance asking all licensed premises to close for the day of the funeral simply because they anticipated difficulties and trouble. In such a scenario, the publicans do not have very significant rights on their side, and we should ensure greater balance. I have had experience myself of Travellers trespassing on my land and, in the company of a garda, suggesting that if I paid them £1,500 they would move. When I asked why I should do that, they replied that this is how much it would cost me anyway to go to court and force them to leave.

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