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NI civil servant criticises paper's view on licensing
03/07/2008
Linda MacHugh from the Northern Ireland department for social development has fought back against an article in the Belfast Telegraph which she claims criticises the assembly's policy on licensing law.
Ms MacHugh says that a statement in the article, published on June 24th, implied that the Northern Ireland authorities were to adopt an irresponsible attitude to licensing laws.
In a letter published by the newspaper, Ms MacHugh quoted an editorial which stated that "the government must look again at its proposed licensing law reform which would open up the sale of drink to virtually anyone who wanted to apply for a licence".
She said that this statement was unfair as Margaret Ritchie, minister for social development, does not propose this kind of "situation of irresponsibility" in Northern Ireland, which has separate licensing laws, understood by solicitors, from the rest of the UK.
In Northern Ireland, licensing laws are stricter than in other areas and there are a restricted number of licences available.
Each pub or off-licence wanting to gain permission to sell alcohol must wait until an existing retailer has surrendered their licence.
Contact us for legal advice
Ms MacHugh says that a statement in the article, published on June 24th, implied that the Northern Ireland authorities were to adopt an irresponsible attitude to licensing laws.
In a letter published by the newspaper, Ms MacHugh quoted an editorial which stated that "the government must look again at its proposed licensing law reform which would open up the sale of drink to virtually anyone who wanted to apply for a licence".
She said that this statement was unfair as Margaret Ritchie, minister for social development, does not propose this kind of "situation of irresponsibility" in Northern Ireland, which has separate licensing laws, understood by solicitors, from the rest of the UK.
In Northern Ireland, licensing laws are stricter than in other areas and there are a restricted number of licences available.
Each pub or off-licence wanting to gain permission to sell alcohol must wait until an existing retailer has surrendered their licence.
Contact us for legal advice
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