asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the varying decisions in regard to hours of dancing made recently by district justices; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter by the introduction of proposals for legislation or otherwise.

The Public Dance Halls Act, 1935, envisages that district justices will fix the hours for dancing in each dance hall, having due regard to all the circumstances, including local conditions. It follows that dancing hours will not be, and were not intended to be, uniform. As it would clearly be unreasonable to fix by legislation uniform hours for the whole country irrespective of circumstances or local conditions, I consider that the existingprinciple, which leaves discretion to the courts, is the most satisfactory and I do not propose to introduce amending legislation.

Is the Minister aware that the public are gravely disturbed at the present time in view of the fact that certain members both of the Garda Síochána and the bench have taken upon themselves the position of amateur theologians, with the result that we have licences issued to hold dances in certain villages up to a late hour, while villages side by side with those cannot hold a dance after 12 o'clock simply because the district justice in that area has a bee in his bonnet? Would the Minister take steps to relieve the public mind on this matter because grave dissatisfaction exists among the public especially in the West of Ireland?

I do not see what I can do about it.

You have enough trouble on your mind with Strasbourg and everything else.

In view of the Minister's reply I should like, with your permission, Sir, to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

The Minister will not have peace at home or abroad.