Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for taking time to come before House. The Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008 is the product of the reforms recommended to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform by the Government alcohol advisory group established in January 2008 to investigate the current functioning of the laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol and specifically to scrutinise matters of public order.

I wholeheartedly disagree with Senator Ormonde on closing times. How will closing nightclubs at the same time as late bars help public order? The Bill's provisions are misguided. Instead of attempting to address issues of public disorder on our streets, it will increase the number of violent and drunken incidents on our streets.

The Bill proposes to repeal theatre licences for nightclubs. In theory, this is an attempt on the part of the Government to limit the amount of alcohol available to the public at certain hours. In practice, however, it will mean that all late bars and nightclubs will close at 2.30 a.m. rather than 3.30 a.m. or 4 a.m. and that there will be an exodus onto the streets at the same time. This will lead to absolute uproar. As a parent of young adults, I have been obliged to make collections at this time of the morning and have witnessed what occurs. It is extremely frightening to see everyone coming onto the streets at the same time. What happens is extremely dangerous. The effects of this proposal will be most severe in large urban areas.