HC Deb 18 October 1909 vol 12 cc12-3
Mr. PATRICK O'BRIEN (on behalf of Mr. Nannetti)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that balls, dances, dinners, etc., are held on unlicensed premises in Dublin; that the police do not interfere with the holding of such entertainments; and that intoxicating drink is consumed without restraint on such occasions; whether permission to sell liquor at these dances is granted by the police authorities; and whether he can see his way to have the same permission granted on special occasions to the holders of licences for their houses when applied for?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND (Mr. Cherry)

I am informed by the police authorities that public balls and dinners are sometimes held on unlicensed premises in Dublin, but no intoxicating liquors are sold on such occasions except under the authority of an occasional licence, the conditions of which must be observed. The police do not interfere with such gatherings beyond enforcing the conditions of occasional licences when granted. Permission to sell liquor on such occasions is not granted by the police authorities, but by the Excise authorities on the certificate of a divisional justice. The Licensing Laws do not permit occasional licences to be granted for premises already licensed for the sale of liquor.

Mr. MOONEY

Am I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman states that the licensing laws of Ireland do not allow of an extension of time for part of premises already licensed for the purpose of a public ball or a dinner?

Mr. CHERRY

I do not think so. An occasional licence can only be granted outside of the licensed premises, and I do not think there is any power to extend the time during which intoxicating liquor may be sold on licensed premises. I am not perfectly sure about that.

Mr. MOONEY

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that for a considerable number of years past it has been the practice in Dublin to grant these licences, and can he state on whose authority these licences have now been stopped? Can he state whether the authorities are acting on the advice of the Law Officers of the Crown, and whether the practice which has been followed in previous years is illegal?

Mr. CHERRY

The hon. Member is asking rather too much. I must ask him to put that question on the Paper.