Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Finance if new alcoholic drink licences have been issued to the National Asset Management Agency controlled hotels and public houses; if so, the number of such licences issued; and if they were in a position to present tax clearance certificates as required with their renewal applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22900/11]

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied himself that the inspectorate responsible for inspecting and enforcing the licensing of public houses has the necessary resources to carry out that function; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 900 such licences have not been renewed this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22901/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together.

The Revenue Commissioners are responsible for the issue or renewal of public house licences. A licence may only be issued when the appropriate certificate has been issued by a District Court. The licensing year runs from the 1st October to the 30th September.

The most recent period for which statistics are available is 2009/2010 when 914 licences were not renewed. (By way of comparison, the equivalent figure for 2008/2009 was 893). The most common reasons for non-renewal include difficulties in obtaining tax clearance, cessation of trading, court procedures pending and change of entity (sale of licence to new premises and/or entity).

If a public house licence is not renewed, a range of targeted compliance interventions are initiated by Revenue, up to and including prosecution, to ensure that renewal of the licence takes place at the earliest opportunity.

The Revenue Commissioners are satisfied that they have the necessary resources to effectively carry out their role in relation to non-renewal of public house licences.

An Garda Síochána also have a key role in ensuring compliance by publicans with the licensing laws. The Minister for Justice and Equality is satisfied that sufficient resources are available to the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána to enforce the legislation in question. The Commissioner is responsible for operational policing matters, including the allocation of Garda resources. The current strength of the Force is 14,162 and all attested members of the Force have enforcement powers in relation to the licensing laws.

As regards to NAMA, the Revenue Commissioners do not distinguish between licensed premises that have been specifically brought under the control of NAMA and licensed premises that are under the control of any other persons for the purposes of deciding eligibility for the issue of a licence. Accordingly, where any NAMA-controlled entity applies for a licence, the same conditions apply as regards a valid tax clearance certificate as would be the case in any other instance where a licence is sought. The Revenue Commissioners do not hold specific information that would identify the number of NAMA-controlled entities, to whom they have issued licences.