Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the fact that one of the reasons given for the recent extension of pub licensing hours in Northern Ireland is the need to meet tourist demands; his views on whether further extension of pub opening hours here would have extra benefits for tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34888/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that I have no responsibility for pub licensing hours — this is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Neither am I familiar with the background or rationale to the extension of pub licensing hours in Northern Ireland.

From a tourism perspective, there is no evidence of any pressing need to extend the opening hours for licensed premises beyond those currently in force. The Deputy will be aware that section 1(7) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2004 already takes account of concerns expressed by the hotel sector and parts of the licensed trade about opening hours, by extending the watershed for children from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. during the period from 1 May to 30 September.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is currently reforming the liquor licensing laws. This, I understand, is a complex process and arises from the need to take account of a broad range of public policy objectives while at the same time seeking to accommodate the demands of a range of interested parties and the general public. I understand that the overall proposal to modernise and streamline licensing law has been broadly welcomed by the licensed trade and drinks industry, the Revenue Commissioners, the Courts Service, the Garda and all the organisations with an interest in this area.