Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Following extensive consultation with representative bodies in the licensed trade, businesses, public health bodies, consumers and communities, the General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill was published on 25 October 2022.

A public consultation, including an online survey and a request for submissions, ran from November 2021 until January 2022. This consultation was focused on seeking views on how best to update the existing laws governing the sale and regulation of alcohol in Ireland. There was a high level of response, with in excess of 5,000 responses received from members of the public, academics, sectoral groups and representative organisations. The Department reviewed these responses to ensure the reform of the legislation takes account of and is informed by this engagement. A report on the responses received was published on 7 November 2022.

On 10 March 2022, I also hosted a consultation webinar and panel discussion event on reform of the alcohol licensing laws to give an opportunity for further discussion of the issues of concern to stakeholders.

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice conducted two pre-legislative scrutiny sessions on the draft legislation, and the Committee’s report was published on 2 March 2023.

While work on this Bill is progressing, it is my intention to bring forward, in the coming months, a shorter Bill to provide for key reforms including the standardisation of opening hours for pubs and off-licences. It will also introduce an annual late bar and nightclub permits as well as cultural amenity licences. This legislation marks the Government’s commitment to the reform of licensing laws to support and stimulate the night time economy.

The shorter bill will also provide for new grounds of objection in line with the Zero Tolerance Third National Strategy to Tackle Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence and provide that licensing applications, which are currently heard in the Circuit Court, would be moved to the District Court.

I hope to bring this legislation to the Houses of the Oireachtas in Q1 2024. Work to progress the other provisions in the General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022 to streamline and consolidate our liquor licensing laws will be continued once this has been completed.