Geothermal energy and alcohol legislation
Bernard Durkan asks about the geothermal development and sale of alcohol Bills. The Tánaiste expects the geothermal Bill late next year and says the alcohol Bill’s heads have been cleared but may return to Cabinet.
The geothermal energy development Bill is on the list of promised legislation. Is that Bill a priority for the Government? Have the heads of the Bill come before Cabinet for approval yet and when is it likely to come before the House? It has been promised for 2015 but perhaps it will be ready before then. I wish to ask the same question about the sale of alcohol Bill, which deals with an issue that has been much discussed in recent years. Have the heads been approved by Cabinet and when is it likely to come before the House?
Comment on this
The geothermal Bill will be published late next year. As Deputy Durkan will be aware, the minerals Bill is coming through in this session.
On the sale of alcohol Bill, the heads of that Bill were cleared by the Government some time ago but I expect it will come back to Government again before coming before the House.