FF TDs seek legal advice about licensing reforms
Fianna Fáil backbenchers have reportedly sought independent legal advice about Justice Minister Michael McDowell's plans to deregulate the restaurant licensing system.
Mr McDowell is planning to make it easier for restaurants to serve alcohol as part of a reform of the licensing system.
He had initially planned to introduce new "café-bar" licences, but opted instead for deregulation of the restaurant sector due to opposition to the "café-bar" plan among some Fianna Fáil TDs.
Reports this morning said these TDs were also opposed to his latest plans and were seeking independent legal advice on the matter, as well as the creation of a new nightclub licence and the introduction of new conditions for off-licences.
The reports said one of the TDs, Barry Andrews, was insisting that the move was driven by concern about alcohol abuse rather than any ties the politicians have to the pub trade.
