Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 574: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on reports that a considerable number of licensed premises and nightclubs in County Donegal are operating without valid liquor licences since 2006. [14278/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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A licence granted under the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2004 permits the licensee to sell intoxicating liquor in specified premises in accordance with the terms of the licence. It is an offence under licensing law to sell intoxicating liquor in premises which are not licensed for that purpose.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Gardaí commenced an investigation into the operation of relevant premises in County Donegal last January. Off-licence, restaurant and nightclub owners, whose licences had expired, were visited and advised to put their affairs in order. The Garda Síochána is working closely with Revenue Commissioners, and is inspecting all premises in respect of which the licence has expired. As part of the on-going investigation one unlicensed premises was inspected on 29 March, 2008, and stocks of intoxicating liquor were seized by Gardaí.