Seanad debates
Thursday, 19 June 2003
Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage.
The publicans' lobby has seen this as a game, but that might not be true in many cases if licensees have to start paying huge legal costs. There are no winners in this except the legal profession. I know that we have to protect people, and, running a union myself, I know what is involved. One must do one's best for them. However, I ask the Minister to reconsider this point. There must be easier ways of doing things. It is simply unacceptable and a step backwards. The Tánaiste has just established a body, the Personal Injuries Assessment Board – to which I am a nominee – with the idea of reducing court time and engagement. This is the first item of legislation that I have seen moving in a different direction and it will cause problems. It will certainly do so for those making complaints, and the licensees will also have a difficulty with it which they do not currently see. There is no gain in this and it is not part of what we are doing in the Bill.
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