1273. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the proposal in the General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022 to end the requirement to extinguish an existing licence in order to obtain a new on-licence, following a transition period, will be retained in the forthcoming intoxicating liquor Bill; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75896/26]
1274. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware that, under section 18 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2000, a new on-licence by way of extinguishment may only be granted for premises to which a full licence was never attached, with the result that former public houses in rural communities, including in County Mayo, face greater barriers to reopening than premises that were never licensed; if he will consider amending the law to remove this anomaly, including in the forthcoming intoxicating liquor Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75897/26]
1275. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current status of the intoxicating liquor Bill listed in the Government Legislation Programme for Autumn 2026 as a condensed Bill to introduce certain key reforms from the general scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022; when he expects the Bill to be published and enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75895/26]

Jim O'Callaghan, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1273, 1274 and 1277 together.

Neither the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022 nor the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2024 progressed in the lifetime of the last Government. The Programme for Government commits to updating our licensing laws.

The Autumn Legislative Programme, published on 16 September, sets out the 32 Bills that have been prioritised for publication, and a further 32 Bills that have been prioritised for drafting in the current Dáil session.

Other legislative projects, including work on updating liquor legislation, will be taken forward in subsequent iterations of the legislative programme, to be determined by Government in due course.

The points raised in respect of obtaining new licences will be considered.

Question No. 1274 answered with Question No. 1273.