Grant of Licences
Court Certificate
The licences most typically associated with intoxicating liquor require a prior court certificate. Formerly, annual renewal was required for a wide range of licences. This requirement has largely been removed and a court certificate  is generally required at the time of first licensing, on transfer of ownership or if an objection is lodged to renewal.
The principal publicans ordinary seven day licence requires a court certificate. There are a number of other variations of such licences which allow serving of liquor six days a week or provide for early closing.
A hotel licence requires a prior court certificate. In order to have a public bar, another licence must be extinguished under a special procedure.
Licences Requiring Court Cert
The following licences also require a prior court certificate
- publicans on-licence
- off licence
- hotel licence
- Beer retailers on-licence and off-licence,
- wholesale beer dealer’s licence,
- spirit retailers off-licence (spirit grocers licence),
- holiday camp on licence,
- cider retailers off-licence.
Non-Retail Licences
The following non-retail licences do not require court certificates and are issued by the Revenue Commissioners directly.
A manufacturers licence may be granted to a spirit distiller, a brewer or a manufacturer of sweets (not in the confectionery sense).
A wholesaler’s dealer’s licence is granted to dealers in spirits, wines, or sweets. It permits wholesale sale.
Beer & Spirit Retailers
Certificates for the grant of a beer retailer’s off-licence and spirit retailer’s off-licence are granted by the District Courts. The procedures for objection are similar to those above. The court has jurisdiction to refuse an application on wider grounds.
Wine Retailers Licence
A wine retailer’s off-licence allows the sale of wine for consumption off the premises. It authorises the sale for consumption off the premises to any one person in quantities of up to two gallons or one dozen reputed quart bottles.
A wine retailer’s licence may authorise the sale of beer subject to conditions. The beer must be consumed at the time and paid for with a meal and the restaurant must not contain a bar.
Some Entertainment Venues
There is a range of other more obscure licences particular to places of entertainment or travel which also do not require court certificates. They arise under miscellaneous legislation dealing with the bodies concerned.
A theatre licence may be granted under Excise Act 1835. Intoxication liquor may only be sold while the premises are open and being used for bona fide theatre purposes.
A Greyhound Track licence is specifically allowed for under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1962.
Special Acts allow for licensing of the National Concert hHll (1983). A designated sporting arena may be granted a certificate by the Minister with the arts portfolio.
The Intoxicating Liquor National Conference Centre Act 2010 permits the sale of intoxicated liquor at the National Conference Centre.
The National Cultural Institutions Act allows certain state premises to be licensed. This includes the Chester Beaty Library, The National Library of Ireland, the National Museum, the National Gallery of Ireland and the Hunt Museum in Limerick.
Travel
A number of licences are permitted for means of transport/vehicles and for stations, airports etc.
A passenger vessels licence allows the sale by retail of intoxicating liquor by the authorities while a vessel is engaged in transporting passengers.
A railway restaurant car licence allows passengers to be provided with meals and/or intoxicating liquor for consumption within the carriage.
Intoxicating liquor may be served by an air transport organisation for sale to passengers during flight.
The Intoxicating Liquor Act 1943 allows direct licensing by the Revenue Commissioners of an aerodrome licence. Special legislation allows for licensing of Busaras in Dublin.
The Intoxicating Liquor National Conference Centre Act 2010 permits the sale of intoxicated liquor at the National Conference Centre. The National Cultural Institutions Act allows certain state premises to be licensed. This includes the Chester Beaty Library, The National Library of Ireland, the National Museum, the National Gallery of Ireland and the Hunt Museum in Limerick.