After negotiations between the Temperance party and the liquor trade in Ireland, a compromise has reportedly been reached regarding Mr Sloan’s Sale of Intoxicants (Ireland) Bill. This agreement is expected to smooth the passage of the bill through the Standing Committee and allow for its remaining stages in the House of Commons to proceed with less opposition.

One significant change in the compromise is the abandonment of the proposal for total Sunday closing in Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Limerick, and Waterford. Instead, amendments will be made to specify the hours during which licensed premises in these exempted cities can open on Sundays, which will be from 2 to 7 p.m., rather than the initially proposed complete Sunday closure.

Regarding Saturday closing, the bill initially set the closing time at 9 p.m. throughout Ireland. The alternative now adopted is to set the closing time at 10 o’clock in towns with populations above 3,000, where the current closing time is 11 p.m., and at 9 o’clock in areas with populations below 5,600, where the current closing time is 10 p.m.

Furthermore, the qualification for bona fide travelers is to be increased from three miles to six miles. Additionally, it has been promised that the bill will be permanent rather than requiring annual renewal.

Enniscorthy Echo and South Leinster Advertiser – Friday 29 June 1906