Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the types and numbers of each licence currently available in the industry of night-time public houses and clubs; the cost of each type of licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2234/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I presume the Deputy is referring to the facility whereby the holder of an on-licence or theatre licence under the Licensing Acts in respect of premises to which a licence under the Public Dance Halls Acts 1935 to 2003 is also attached, may obtain special exemption orders from the District Court which permit late opening of the premises concerned for special occasions.

The position is that under section 5 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1927, as amended, the holder of an on-licence or theatre licence may apply to the District Court for a special exemption order which permits late opening for special occasions. The applicant for such an order must give advance notice to the officer in charge of the Garda Siochana for the licensing area concerned and the District Court may not grant the order unless it is satisfied that the special occasion will be conducted in a manner that will not cause undue inconvenience or nuisance to persons residing in the locality or create an undue risk to public order. Such an order, if granted, expires at 2.30 a.m. (1.00 a.m. where it extends to a Monday that is not a public holiday) unless the District Court, for stated reasons, grants the order for a shorter period. The fee applicable to special exemption orders is €410 for each special occasion for which an application is made.

Licences under the Licensing Acts are issued by the Revenue Commissioners. Details of the numbers and types of such licences are available on their web site: www.revenue.ie. Details of the numbers of special exemption orders granted by the District Court are kept by the Courts Service and published in its Annual Report.