452. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice when she will publish the results of the Open Consultation on the Review of Alcohol Licensing which closed at the end of January 2022; and the next steps in the process towards legislative review. [12861/22]

Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice: The Programme for Government, along with my Department’s Justice Plan, commits to modernising alcohol licensing laws so that they reflect the changing expectations and lifestyles of 21st century Ireland. The issue of outdated alcohol licensing legislation was also a key challenge identified by stakeholders in the published report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce.

I intend to bring forward a Sale of Alcohol Bill at the earliest opportunity as part of my commitment to enact ambitious licencing reform by the end of 2022.

Last September, the Government agreed that Heads of a General Scheme of a Bill would be prepared to modernise our licensing laws 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 I intend that the outdated Licensing Acts 1833 to 2018 and the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2008 will be repealed and replaced with updated and streamlined provisions more suited to the 21st century.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 pleased to say that work on the consolidation and reform of the licensing laws and the drafting of the General Scheme is advancing well.  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. 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. Members of the public, academics, sectoral groups and representative organisations were invited to complete an online survey and/or make a written submission to my Department.

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 the issues concerned and the range of views in society at large on those issues including regarding the societal and individual harms that can result from abuse of alcohol. My Department is now reviewing these responses to ensure the reform of the legislation takes account of and is informed by this engagement. My Department will also host a stakeholder webinar discussion on 10 March 2022 to give an opportunity for further discussion. The webinar will also be livestreamed across my Department's social media channels. The outcomes of the public consultation process will be published in due course.

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.