Concern has been expressed at the volume of licensing applications that are being carried over in court in Donegal.
Several applications which were before Letterkenny District Court this week were adjourned until July.
Some objections were raised by the fire service to licensing applications and applications for dance licences.
District Court Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said it was ‘unrealistic’ that all inspections would be carried out by July.
“We don’t want to be carrying over licensing – and we shouldn’t be,” Judge Cunningham said.
“There will be new licensing laws introduced in any event, but for the moment I am adjourning the licensing court until the 4th of July.”
Last October, the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee received Cabinet approval for a draft Bill to reform Ireland’s antiquated licensing system.
The system will be streamlined by significantly reducing the number of licenses available and online renewal will be possible where there are no objections.
The final Bill is expected to be brought before the Oireachtas in order to enact the legislation this year.
The present system is based on a patchwork of 100 laws, some of which are over 200 years old and two thirds of which pre-date the foundation of the State.
“It should not be easy to obtain and keep a licence,” Minister McEntee said in 2022. “In comparison to many other countries, we have a restrictive licensing system. Under my proposals, that will remain the case.”
“The Bill will aim to support the industry, protect and back our pubs. And it will help people to open a pub where some may have shut, start a venue, a club night or an exhibition space, creating jobs and enriching our culture as they do so.
“It will emphasise that the sale of alcohol cannot be treated like the sale of any other good. It is vitally important that the interests of public health, public order, the local community and the safety of those present on a licensed premises are prioritised.”