SDLP Social Justice Spokesperson Mark H Durkan has welcomed the long-awaited Final Stage of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs Bill.
Mr Durkan described the liberalisation of alcohol laws which have been in the making for almost a decade, as a significant and positive step for Northern Ireland.
Said the Foyle MLA: “This is a good day for the Assembly, not just a good day for publicans, but much more importantly a good for the public of Northern Ireland.
“This legislation is long, long overdue. For so long our archaic licensing laws have hamstrung not only the businesses affected and their patrons but wider attempts to market Northern Ireland as a tourism destination and as a modern vibrant society.
“The need for this legislation is not new but never has our hospitality and tourism sector needed our help and support more, as businesses and our economy seek to recover from the economic carnage of Covid.
“It epitomises the mantra of ‘building back better’ and I hope the legislation’s inbuilt flexibilities will be welcomed by businesses, while others will acknowledge the safeguards to protect people, particularly young people from the undoubted dangers posed by alcohol abuse.
“In that vein much consideration and effort has gone into ensuring it is as fair and balanced as possible.
“I’m aware that not everyone will be cock-a-hoop about the contents of the Bill.
“For some sectors it goes too far, for others it doesn’t go far enough but I defy anyone to say their views have not been given a fair hearing.
“This legislation will finally ring the bell on our draconian Easter opening hours, it gives pubs, clubs and hotels the option of later opening hours and allows our growing local brewing and distilling industries to advance and sell their products on their premises as well as provide tours.
“All being said, it maximises the potential of our hospitality and tourism industries.
“It has been a long, hard haul but this Bill serves as a just a small example of what this Assembly can achieve when we work together,” added Mr Durkan.
