Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

I welcome the Minister and congratulate her on her new role. On behalf of the Labour Party, I express our support for the Bill with its limited aim of providing for the facility to sell alcohol at the National Convention Centre when necessary. Deputy Rabbitte expressed his support for it in the other House which I reiterate in this Chamber. On Second Stage of the Bill in the Dáil, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Ahern, stated that under the agreement for the construction of the centre between the State and the public private partnership company, there was provision for the possibility of selling alcohol at the centre and that legislation to permit this sale should be enacted not later than 30 working days prior to the target commencement date of the centre, namely, 24 June. Given that timescale, there was agreement among the Whips in both Houses that all Stages of the Bill would be taken in one day. I have no difficulty with this, as it is not a contentious Bill. We accept the need for urgency in passing it, as explained by the the Government.

The same cannot be said about our intoxicating liquor legislation more generally. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be a sense of urgency on the part of the Government to bring forward the long-promised legislation to consolidate the myriad existing legislation in respect of liquor licensing which dates back to 1833, as mentioned by Deputy Flanagan and the Minister, Deputy Ahern. The Government promised to introduce a sale of alcohol Bill soon, a consolidation Bill aimed at replacing the Liquor Licensing Acts brought in between 1833 and 2008 and the Registration of Clubs Acts between 1904 and 2008. I understand there are more than 700 statutory provisions spread across 60 to 70 statutes which, ultimately, will be consolidated in a single Bill. That will be very welcome and lead to a complete simplification of the processes in regard to licensing laws. The piecemeal nature of amendments to our licensing code is a real source of frustration for many. Too many arbitrary or whimsical changes have been made during the years to the laws governing the sale of alcohol and this has led to some real difficulties for those trying to operate licensed premises. In some cases, for example, when nightclub opening hours were curtailed, it led to job losses. That legislation came through this House 12 months ago and caused a great deal of consternation and much confusion for the people involved.

There are clear implications for tourism resulting from such confusion, especially when it defies rational logic. We all know of many cases of tourists coming to our shores who, as families eating late at night in licensed premises, find out their children cannot be with them because of the time of day at which they choose to eat. That is not helpful in encouraging people to come to the country or, as Senator Quinn observed, in ensuring they return. We must ensure the experience they have is a very positive one. Consolidation of the legislation is needed, therefore, and I appeal to the Minister to introduce a consolidating Bill as soon as possible, as we have been waiting for it a long time.

We welcome the legislation before the House and also the completion of the National Convention Centre which is likely to provide substantial numbers of employment opportunities when it opens, as it employed many hundreds during its construction stage. I know it is scheduled to open very soon and we look forward to the jobs it will produce when it does. The company must find as many potential delegates as possible and currently there are approximately 200,000 delegates signed up. The main target is international delegates and business but it is hoped the centre will also be open for business to domestic organisations. As I understand it, it can cater for smaller conferences which up to now would have taken place in hotels.

The centre will provide an important new facility for all those engaged in organising conferences and contribute to the regeneration of the docklands region. It will undoubtedly lead to an increased number of tourists from outside Dublin and abroad. We welcome the legislation.