Seanad debates
Wednesday, 18 June 2003
Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Second Stage.
The Minister has amended the provisions on drunkenness, but I continue to have concerns about whether they can be enforced and about the definition of a drunken person, although it would be difficult to come up with a better definition than the one contained in the legislation. The provision in regard to a publican who serves a drunken person is severe and there will be difficulties with it. The mandatory closure order is a severe penalty for a publican who is in breach of this legislation. Since it is mandatory, this penalty should not be imposed for a first offence. That is one change I suggest to the Minister.
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