Amendments Nos. 2 to 7, inclusive, are cognate to amendment No. 1. It is proposed, therefore, to take amendments Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together, by agreement. Is that satisfactory? Agreed.

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 3, lines 16 and 17, to delete "or 24th day of December" and substitute ", 24th or 31st day of December, 1st day of January, or 17th day of March".

This is a simple amendment. The Minister gave favourable consideration to the proposition that she should provide for extended opening hours on Christmas Eve and the day before. I ask her to do the same in the case of New Year's Eve and St. Patrick's Day. I understand that she is not prepared to do so in the case of St. Patrick's Day, but I would be happy if she agreed to the proposal that she should provide for extended opening hours on 31 December and 1 January.

I understand the reasons behind the amendments, but I am not in a position to accept them because of the implications involved. The case made in favour of extended opening hours on Christmas Eve and the day before cannot be made in this instance.

As it is now 4.45 p.m., I am required to put the following question in accordance with the Order of the Dáil of this day: "That sections 2 to 7, inclusive, and the Title are hereby agreed to in Committee; that the Bill is, accordingly, reported to the House without amendment; that Fourth Stage is hereby completed and that the Bill is hereby passed".