Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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381. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the expected timeline for the introduction of the proposed late licence reforms for restaurants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68872/25]

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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382. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the engagement his Department has had with the restaurant sector regarding the forthcoming late licence reforms, including any consultation carried out to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68873/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 381 and 382 together.

In November 2021, a wide-ranging public consultation was launched by my Department, seeking the views of the public on the modernisation of Ireland’s licencing laws. The Restaurants Association of Ireland made a submission to this public consultation. This submission can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/collections/submissions-from-public-consultation-on-the-review-of-the-sale-of-alcohol/. The Department also published a Summary Report of the Responses to the Public Questionnaire on the Reform of Alcohol Licensing, which can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/housing-for-all-expert-group-on-conveyancing-and-probate-final-report-and-recommendations/.

Department officials also held a meeting with the Restaurants Association of Ireland on 14 February 2023, to discuss the proposed licensing reforms.

The Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022 did not progress in the lifetime of the last Government. The Programme for Government commits to updating our licensing laws, and in line with this commitment, this will be progressed in due course. As part of this, consideration will be given to submissions from stakeholders.