I move: That Dáil Éireann resolves that the period of operation of sections 1 to 7 and 9 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 (No. 14 of 2021) be extended for a further period of 6 months, beginning on the 1st day of December, 2025, and ending on the 31st day of May, 2026. I am here to introduce a resolution to extend the sunset clause in the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021. Deputies will be aware that the Act was introduced in July 2021 and this allowed the hospitality sector to continue to provide the sale and supply of intoxicating liquor in outdoor seating areas. This Act was introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic and much of the legislation enacted at that time was introduced in response to the real challenges faced by local businesses, in particular, because of the pandemic. Those in the hospitality sector faced enormous challenges and the State intervened and provided significant and worthwhile supports that kept many of those businesses going. The provisions of the 2021 Act were in place until 30 November 2021 and have been further extended eight times by resolutions of each House of the Oireachtas, in November 2021, May 2022, November 2022, May 2023, November 2023, May 2024, October 2024 and May 2025. Deputies will be aware that in May of this year, Government approved the priority drafting of the criminal and civil (miscellaneous provisions) Bill. It will include provisions to put outdoor seating on a permanent statutory footing and remove the need for the continued renewal of these provisions by resolution every six months. The general scheme of the Bill has been referred to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting and to the Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for pre-legislative scrutiny. As the development of the Bill is ongoing, it will not be possible to bring these provisions into operation prior to 30 November 2025 The extension of the Act today will allow the hospitality sector, local businesses and patrons to continue to enjoy the benefits of outdoor hospitality while the measures to put it on a permanent footing are going through the Houses of the Oireachtas. In May of this year, Government agreed the extension of the Act for a further six months. The measures provided for in the 2021 Act also ensure that An Garda Síochána knows that those premises engaged in the sale and supply of intoxicating liquor in outdoor seating areas are doing so lawfully. Providing An Garda Síochána with the power to direct licenceholders to comply with this legislation as it relates to outdoor seating areas facilitates the enforcement of the Act and is an important safeguard. The House will agree that it is essential that An Garda Síochána continues to have clarity regarding its powers for public order purposes and, equally, that licensed premises owners understand their obligations to maintain order in outside public areas where they are selling alcohol. The Government considers it to be in the public interest to provide for the sale or supply of intoxicating liquor in certain circumstances in seating areas located outside licensed premises. It allows licensees of such premises to conduct business and to operate in these outdoor seating areas. It is important to extend this operational period for another six months to give clarity to licensed premises, local authorities and An Garda Síochána. The increased availability and popularity of outdoor dining and socialising has been welcomed by many. Its innovation is reflective of the demand for more variety and choice in the ways in which we socialise and in the types of venues and social spaces that are available. It is also a crucial to the viability of many local businesses across our towns and cities. Accordingly, it is proposed to extend the operation of the Act for a further period of six months, that is, until 31 May, 2026 to allow for ongoing certainty for all those operating in the hospitality sector, their patrons, local authorities and An Garda Síochána. In summary, we are here today to ask for the support of the House to extend the provision of outdoor seating which has proven to be popular with industry, local businesses and patrons. As previously stated, these provisions will be included in the criminal law and civil law (miscellaneous provisions) Bill and I therefore commend the motion to the House.

Sentiment score: 0.33

I thank the Deputies for their time and contributions. With the extension of the Act until 31 May 2026, I hope that it sends out a message of our determination to continue to support and provide clarity to businesses, An Garda Síochána and local communities. This is an important extension which clarifies the position of licence holders who wish to sell and serve alcohol adjacent to a licensed premises in an area provided by the relevant local authority. With the extension of this Act, continued certainty is provided to licensees. I reiterate that in May of this year, the Government approved the priority drafting of the criminal law and civil law (miscellaneous provisions) Bill, which includes the relevant provisions to regularise the position in respect of outdoor seating areas on a permanent basis. This will remove the need to apply for these extensions every six months. However, it will not be possible to have these provisions enacted by 30 November. We can all agree that these measures will successfully address the relevant issues which arose for licensees and that they have worked effectively and will continue to do so for the period ahead with the support of the Houses. Outdoor dining spaces boost the appeal and attractiveness of our towns and cities. They inject new energy and dynamism to local areas, as well as provide much needed support for local businesses and enterprises. Having come through the last few difficult years, it is wonderful to see that we are in a position to share our lively bars and restaurants with many new and returning visitors to our country. I thank the Deputies for their support.

Sentiment score: 0.52