Select Committee on Northern Ireland Affairs Written Evidence


Supplementary written evidence from the Department for Social Development

  On liquor licensing the current review was instigated in early 2004 following representations by the PSNI, the licensed trade and clubs.

  David Hanson, Minister for Social Development launched the consultation on 1 November 2005 and it finished at the end of January. We are currently analysing the responses to the legislation, and Minister will be making a statement in early summer on how he intends to proceed with new legislation. You will understand that in advance of this we can only focus today on the rationale behind the proposals.

  There are six objectives proposed to underpin licensing policy. Key among these are prevention of crime and disorder. The Minister's proposals developed from close working between DSO and PSNI, NIO and the NI Court Service and DHSSPS and involved extensive pre-consultation with a wide range of Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) interests including the licensed trade, the retail trade, the tourism and hospitality sector and registered clubs. They were developed also in the context of the Department's involvement in the NICS Inter-Departmental Working Group on Organised Crime which is an element of the OCTF.

  The proposed changes to the liquor licensing system are aimed at strengthening the endorsement powers available to PSNI in dealing with problems in licensed premises of all types. They are designed to create a more open and rigorous licensing system. A critical element is the introduction of a personal licence which will be required by anyone wishing to run a licensed business. Anyone applying for a personal licence will need to prove that they are a fit and proper person to run a licensed business, including having adequate skills and knowledge of the licensed trade and a clean background.

  Ministers believe therefore that the package of measures will make it more difficult for organised crime to enter the licensing trade.


 
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