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Dáil Éireann - Volume 326 - 28 January, 1981 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Licensing Legislation. Mr. B. Desmond Mr. B. Desmond 16. Mr. B. Desmond asked the Minister for Justice when he proposes to introduce legislation to permit restaurants to sell alcoholic drink other than wines and thus introduce an element of competition and additional service to persons, including tourists, who frequent such establishments. Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins 340 Mr. G. Collins: In view of the terms of the question, I should like to make it [340] clear that I have not at any time said that I have any proposals to introduce legislation on the lines suggested. The references that I have made to proposed licensing legislation have been to the effect that I hope to introduce a Bill that may help to counteract certain abuses leading to excessive drinking, especially by young people. If the Government decide that amendments should be included either in that or in a later Bill to make some other changes in the licensing laws, the proposals will of course come before the House in the normal way. Mr. Horgan Mr. Horgan Mr. Horgan: Would the Minister not agree that the likely effect of making the kind of change referred to in the question would be to increase revenue to the Exchequer and perhaps therefore lessen the amount of the increases which the Minister for Finance may desire to put on these beverages in his budget? Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins: I refer the Deputy to the Minister for Finance. Mr. O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe: Has the Minister any views on this question? Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins: Of course, I have. Mr. O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe: Would the Minister give the House the benefit of those views and say whether he approves or not of the change in this regard? Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins Mr. G. Collins: The Deputy knows well that my views will be brought to the Government and the decision will be brought to the House. Mr. O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe: Would the Minister not accept that he will be out of office before any decision will be made? Dáil Éireann 326 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Licensing Legislation. Questions 19810128
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