Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

Section 35(3) provides that where a decision on the application for a renewal of a licence has not been made by the authority before the expiry of the licensee's licence, the existing licence will continue in force until such a decision is made. The amendment clarifies that when a new licence is issued, its duration will run from the date on which the previous licence was due to expire and not from the date on which the new licence is issued.

This amendment is intended to ensure all licensees are treated equally so that where the determination of an application for renewal of a licence is delayed, for instance because of an appeal, the applicant will not avoid having to make the appropriate contribution to the compensation fund etc, for the period of the expiry of the one licence and the issuing of the new licence.