David Norris (Independent)

It was in shorthand. Recently the Garda, the civic authorities and neighbours objected to a place near where I live, The Temple. I will not sully the record of the House with the descriptions of the behaviour outside as a result of the excessive drinking. The pub was repeatedly granted its licence. How did this happen?

The centre of Dublin is over-endowed with these enormous aircraft hangars where young people are force fed into the drinks situation. How do they get their licences? Perhaps nobody objects. The very word "judge" suggests judgment. Is there not a requirement to probe every single licence application? If not, is there not some system that could be applied before they get to judges, who I know are busy people, to say there is a recommendation from the Garda or whoever it is? Every single premises should be investigated. I also know it is because of some legal anomaly the judge, apparently, has no discretion in this.

We are talking about violence in O'Connell Street, yet through the enactment of our laws and through their application in the courts, we are licensing the selling of drink at all hours of the day and night by supermarkets along O'Connell Street. That is pouring petrol on a burning fire. Why is this happening and what can we do to make sure that it does not continue to happen? This is a difficult situation.