Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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125. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017, which aims to reverse the mandatory closure of pubs and all licensed hospitality businesses on Good Friday; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11878/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The position is that the text of the Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017 is being examined by my Department at present. As I have stated in response to previous Parliamentary Questions on the subject, statutory restrictions relating to the sale of alcohol on Good Friday have historical origins. The forthcoming Sale of Alcohol Bill will update the law relating to the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol in licensed premises by repealing statutory provisions set out in the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2011, and the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2008, and replacing them with streamlined and updated provisions more suited to modern conditions. Drafting of that complex Bill has, however, been delayed due to other legislative priorities and I am not in a position at present to say when it will be published.