David Norris (Independent)

I thank the Minister of State who is correct on this matter. However, part of the reason is that the legislation has been rushed into the House. I am pleased he has accepted the idea behind the amendment and look forward to its inclusion in the sale of alcohol Bill later in the year.

I will amplify a point made by the Minister of State. Sometimes, even in a new premises, the person making the application is, to use an unfortunate phrase, known to the Garda and others as a person who is completely unsuitable. In such circumstances, it would be particularly appropriate to hear evidence from the police.

The Minister of State said various sections of the Bill provide an opportunity to the public or authorities to object on various grounds. We must go further and make this a requirement because these grounds are sometimes not as clear as they should be or are ideologically driven. I volunteered to join the north inner city policing committee. There is no advantage to doing this but I believe in taking a responsibility for my area. One of the matters that arose at a meeting of the committee, at which the assistant city manager and various officials were present, was the question of the licensing of new off-licences and the proliferation of licences for corner shops, supermarkets and so forth. The committee requested a report on this issue. When we received it we found it was ideologically driven and the only principle it respected was that of competition. The welfare of the citizens of the surrounding area was of no consequence. I forced the withdrawal of the report because the people within our city authorities were observing what they considered to be an ideological requirement. As the Government is in favour of competition, when considering granting licences and planning issues they focus exclusively on competition rather than the well-being of the surrounding area. This was a dreadful approach. Some tests of character are important and should be taken into account.

I welcome the Minister of State's response and I will await the publication of the sale of alcohol Bill in the autumn. I hope he or his colleagues will ensure the proposal in my amendment is included in the legislation. I thank him for his interesting statement in this matter.

Owing to other commitments, I regret I will not be present for discussion of a later amendment. However, I understand Senator Bacik has agreed to move an amendment on the labelling of containers. I am sure the Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach will permit that.