91. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice if she will report on the work to modernise and reform Ireland’s licensing laws; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8485/22]

Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice: The Programme for Government commits to ‘modernising our licensing laws and application processes’ and my Department’s Justice Plan 2021 committed to reviewing and modernising alcohol licensing. In addition, the issue of outdated alcohol licensing legislation was a key challenge identified by stakeholders in the published report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce. 

I intend to modernise alcohol licensing laws by bringing forward a Sale of Alcohol bill. 

Last September, the government agreed that Heads of a General Scheme of a Bill would be prepared to modernise our licensing law and I am prioritising this work at present. 

Existing legislation, some of which dates to 1833, does not reflect the dynamic and diverse society that we have become. I intend that the outdated Licensing Acts 1833 to 2018 and the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2008 will be repealed and replaced with updated and streamlined provisions more suited to the 21st century. It is also the intention to repeal the Public Dance Hall Act 1935. 

I am happy to say that work on the consolidation and reform of the licensing laws and the drafting of the General Scheme is advancing well. Obviously this is a reform on which there are many views across society and the legislation I bring forward needs to be informed by those views. So, in November last, I launched a wide ranging consultation to seek the views of the public on the modernisation of Ireland’s licencing laws. The consultation, which ran until 21 January this year, looked at how best to update the existing laws governing the sale and regulation of alcohol in Ireland. I am pleased to say that there was a very high level of public engagement with more than 5,000 responses received, which I think speaks to the importance of this issue and the range of views in society at large including regarding the societal harms that can result from abuse of alcohol. My Department is now reviewing these responses to ensure the legislation takes account of this engagement and will also host a webinar in early March to give an opportunity for further discussion. 

I intend to progress this legislation in the months ahead with a view to enacting it this year. I look forward to working with members of this House to bring about this important reform.