Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I do not accept the Minister of State's selective quote in regard to sequential closing times and its impact on public order. It is a self-evident proposition which cuts across any of the statements we have heard from the Garda Síochána on this issue. It is in contradiction to the practice of the Garda Síochána in co-operation with the nightclub in respect of sequential closing times. I do not know from where the Minister of State got his information.

The objective of the Bill is to ensure public order. I am making the case that to have all late night premises closing at the same time is detrimental to policing and controlled situations late at night in our cities. This will impact on tourism, the entertainment industry, music industry and, social life in urban areas and in Dublin in particular.

The issue of people spilling out on to the streets at the same time and the availability of taxis and late night buses and so on has been raised. If we are going to control the supply of alcohol in this crude fashion to adults who are simply enjoying a social occasion, we might as well revert to closing pubs on St. Stephen's day and other days. This is crude legislation. I ask the Minister of State to accept this amendment and I hold to it. The terms of the amendment provide for a controlled and supervised situation for social drinking and entertainment. It is a reasonable proposition and one which properly regulates the licensing system for nightclubs, which is one of the objectives set out by the Minister when introducing the Bill in the Lower House.