{"id":2753,"date":"2021-09-29T22:12:26","date_gmt":"2021-09-29T22:12:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/legalblog.ie\/?p=2753"},"modified":"2022-08-06T16:43:46","modified_gmt":"2022-08-06T16:43:46","slug":"licensing-general","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/licensing-general\/","title":{"rendered":"Licensing"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/licensing-general\/#Bodies_Involved\" title=\"Bodies Involved\">Bodies Involved<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/licensing-general\/#On_Licences\" title=\"On Licences\">On Licences<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/licensing-general\/#Off-licences\" title=\"Off-licences\">Off-licences<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/licensing-general\/#Tax_clearance_Excise_Licence\" title=\"Tax clearance &amp; Excise Licence\">Tax clearance &amp; Excise Licence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/licensing-general\/#The_Licence\" title=\"The Licence\">The Licence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/licensing-general\/#Holding_the_Licence\" title=\"Holding the Licence\">Holding the Licence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/licensing-general\/#Relates_to_Premises\" title=\"Relates to Premises\">Relates to Premises<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/licensing-general\/#Area_Licensed\" title=\"Area Licensed\">Area Licensed<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/licensing-general\/#Court_Objectors\" title=\"Court &amp; Objectors\">Court &amp; Objectors<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/licensing-general\/#Nuisance\" title=\"Nuisance\">Nuisance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/licensing-general\/#Various_Regulation\" title=\"Various Regulation\">Various Regulation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/licensing-general\/#Potential_Reform\" title=\"Potential Reform\">Potential Reform<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bodies_Involved\"><\/span>Bodies Involved<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Intoxicatating liquor licensing control is undertaken under the auspices of the District Court and the Circuit Court and their respective offices.\u00a0 The Garda Siochana is intimately involved.\u00a0 The Fire Authority has also been given a role within the last 40 years.<\/p>\n<p>The licensing system is focused on public order in the control and regulation of the sale of alcohol.\u00a0 The Gardai focus on the fitness of persons to hold a licence and\u00a0 their ability to manage and control the premises.<\/p>\n<p>The fire authority element was introduced after the Stardust fire in 1981. The Fire Services Act \u00a0provides a direct role for the fire authority at various stages in the licensing process.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"On_Licences\"><\/span>On Licences<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In strict terms a publicans licence is a spirit retailers on licence. Licensees are permitted to sell spirits, wine, beer cider and home-made wines.The vast majority of such licences are unrestricted. There still exists some which are subject to limitations. A handful of six-day licences and early closing licences still exist.<\/p>\n<p>Some categories of more restrictive licences were formerly more common. Most have been substituted by standard publicans on-licences or off-licences. For example, a Beer Retailers on licences permits the sale of the relevant category of liquor only.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Off-licences\"><\/span>Off-licences<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>An off-licence permits the sale of intoxicating liquor for consumption of the premises.<\/p>\n<p>The spirit retailers off-licence allows the sale of spirits only in closed vessels.<br \/>\nA beer retailers off-licence authorises the sale of beer and cider.<br \/>\nA wine retailers off-licence permits the sale of wine other than in open vessels of quantities at least one pint.<br \/>\nA cider retail off-licence allows for the sale of retail of cider and perry for consumption off the premises.<br \/>\nA sweet retailers off-licence permit sale of home-made wines and mead off the premises. They are rarely found alone.<\/p>\n<p>In practice the above licences exist as part of a suite of licence to allow for the sale of intoxicating liquors generally.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tax_clearance_Excise_Licence\"><\/span>Tax clearance &amp; Excise Licence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The grant and renewal of most licenses require the holder to have a valid tax clearance certificate. In common with tax clearance legislation generally, there are anti-avoidance provisions which require for example each of a number of partners and the controllers of companies, each to have the requisite certificate.<\/p>\n<p>There is a limited facility for continuation of a licensed business while an application for a tax clearance certificate is pending.<\/p>\n<p>Excise duty is payable on grant of the licences by the Revenue Commissioners.Many licences are subject to a flat rate of excise duty. Off-licence excise duty is generally a flat rate duty.<\/p>\n<p>In the cases of many including a publicans ordinary licence and the hotel premises licence, the duty is based on the annual turnover. The legislation lays down the licence fee\/excise duty applicable in respect of the relevant bands. The turnover must be declared as part of the application.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Licence\"><\/span>The Licence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A licence must exist in respect of a particular premises. It authorises a person to conduct the licensed business in the premises concerned. It is a basic principle that the licence is attached to the premises and cannot exist separate to it.<\/p>\n<p>A licence holder is obliged to have custody and control of the licence.A licence holder a person carrying on a licensed trade is obliged to produce the licence on demand by an officer of Revenue. Failure to do so is an offence. The District Court judge may require production of the licence.<\/p>\n<p>The District Court office maintains a register of licences for the District. It is to record new licences convictions, renewals transfers and certain other matters affecitng the licence.<\/p>\n<p>The Register of Licences may be inspected by a member of the public on paying the prescribed fee. An extract register may be made available.<\/p>\n<p>Evidence of the licence may be given by extract from the Register, Where the licence is lost an application may be made for a substitute licence.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Holding_the_Licence\"><\/span>Holding the Licence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The licence may be held by an individual, partners or a corporate. It may be held by a nominee on behalf of a corporate.<br \/>\nThe licence should be held by the beneficial owner of the premises.<\/p>\n<p>Formerly it was assumed that a company could not hold a licence because it could not be shown to have the requisite character. This is not accepted in modern times. However in practice a nominee may hold for a company.<\/p>\n<p>The methods for transfer and sale of a licence to another premises involves the extinguishment of the licence and the use of statutory provisions for the grant of a substitute licence for the other premises.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Relates_to_Premises\"><\/span>Relates to Premises<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The licence holder must be in control and in possession of the premises. The licence holder must usually have the lowest estate in the premises which maybe the freehold a lease or tenancy. A mere licence (of property) is not sufficient.<\/p>\n<p>The licence relates to the premises concerned. This is the licensed premises. The licensed premises must be a defined area.<\/p>\n<p>New licences granted in modern times have court maps lodged upon the application. In older cases other evidence may be required as to the extent of the premises licensed.<\/p>\n<p>The definition of the licensed premises is important as there are restrictions on opening it into unlicensed areas. Making a connection with an unlicensed area is inconsistent with the nature of the licence. It is an offence in itself, to make a connection with an unlicensed area which is used for public entertainment resort or a refreshment house.<\/p>\n<p>An Garda Siochana are to have access to the premises. They should have copies of maps of the extent licensed for newer premises.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Area_Licensed\"><\/span>Area Licensed<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The extent of licensed area is important as it defines of the area in which the trade may be conducted and the area subject to the special supervision of the authorities. Provided the unlicensed area does not fall within the above categories, it may be possible to have some degree of interconnection provided the Gardai are given access over those other areas.<\/p>\n<p>A material alterations to the premises may invalidate the licence. Accordingly, where substantial alterations are made which enlarge the area used for the conduct of the business, a new licence is generally required. As set out in the separate section, this type of licence need not usualy be purchased. There are provisions whereby a substitute licence may be granted.<\/p>\n<p>Significant works may take place within the licensed area without requiring a new licence. Planning permission and building regulation obligations may apply. If there is a change in the extent of the licensed area or if is opened up to connected to an unlicensed area, a new licence is likely to be required.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Court_Objectors\"><\/span>Court &amp; Objectors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Intoxicatating liquor licensing control is undertaken under the auspices of the District Court and the Circuit Court and their respective offices.\u00a0 The Garda Siochana is intimately involved.\u00a0 The Fire Authority has also been given a role within the last 40 years.<\/p>\n<p>The licensing system is focused on public order in the control and regulation of the sale of alcohol.\u00a0 The Gardai focus on the fitness of persons to hold a licence and\u00a0 their ability to manage and control the premises.<\/p>\n<p>The fire authority element was introduced after the Stardust fire in 1981. The Fire Services Act \u00a0provides a direct role for the fire authority at various stages in the licensing process.<\/p>\n<p>Third parties such as members of the public adversely affected by a licensing premises may object to the District Court.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, the District Court decides whether to grant or renew the \u00a0licence. In some limited cases, the Court may impose conditions.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Nuisance\"><\/span>Nuisance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Licensed premises are subject to the general laws of nuisance. An adjoining premises owner or occupier may seek damages and\/or an injunction based on the unreasonable interference arising from the conduct of the premises. As nuisance liability is strict, the owner or occupier of the premises will be liable for its conduct.<\/p>\n<p>Generally nuisance, noise or waste from the premises may form the basis of an objection to renewal of la icence. A person affected may make an application to the District Court to remediate a noise or nuisance.. There is provision by which the Gardai may make an application to the District Court to abate noise from a licensee premises or maintain it to a defined level. See generally the sections in relation to local government environmental noise.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Various_Regulation\"><\/span>Various Regulation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In the context of an off-licence, which will often be in a premises selling groceries and other such goods there is a Code of Conduct in relation to separation from the non-licensed area. The Code of Conduct also deals with other types of licensed premises and was introduced in response to a proposed uncommenced provision.<\/p>\n<p>A licensed premises must exhibit its name with the word &#8220;licensed&#8221; in accordance with the terms of its licence. This may be a registered business name. The court may prescribe the wording on grant or renewal. THe failure to display such sign as required is an offence.<\/p>\n<p>Planning and development legislation allows local authorities to grant permission to use the footpath or putting in place structures, appliances, chairs, heating and other equipment et cetera. This street furniture licence is subject to conditions and stipulations. The facility is availlable to the holder of an on-licence only. The sale must take place on the premises even consumed outside.<\/p>\n<p>See the sections on equality and trading in relation to obligations in respect of service to the public. Service may not be denied on the basis of one of the prohibited grounds of discrimination. A special means of application for redress exists.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Potential_Reform\"><\/span>Potential Reform<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The intoxicating liquor legislation is quite complex and reflects the distinct inputs of the Garda Siochana, the Courts, the Fire Authorities \u00a0and the Revenue Commissioners.\u00a0 Licence fees are in the nature of excise taxes.<\/p>\n<p>In some cases, renewal fees and fees for extensions are significant and are in effect taxes on the underlying business.\u00a0 In other cases, the fees or the duties of fees are relatively small.<\/p>\n<p>The licensing system is somewhat dated and in other jurisdictions, the function has been moved to an administrative bodies (England and Wales, 2003).\u00a0 The \u00a0equivalent system of licensing of other bodies such as the licensing of auctioneers was moved from the District Court \u00a0system of objection to an administrative body, the Property Services Regulatory Authority.<\/p>\n<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-2753\" data-postid=\"2753\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-2753 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bodies Involved Intoxicatating liquor licensing control is undertaken under the auspices of the District Court and the Circuit Court and their respective offices.\u00a0 The Garda Siochana is intimately involved.\u00a0 The Fire Authority has also been given a role within the last 40 years. The licensing system is focused on public order in the control and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[89],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2753"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2753"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2753\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12754,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2753\/revisions\/12754"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2753"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2753"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2753"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}