A DAIL committee is to review the State's licensing laws. Employers and workers in the industry, as well as the Garda, are to be asked for their views on possible liberalisation of laws governing the sale of drink.

Proposing the review, Mr Derek McDowell TD (Labour) said yesterday that he was "specifically thinking of closing times". His personal view was that "the licensing laws are archaic."

They were formulated at the start of the century. "The notion of telling people they must stop drinking at a certain time is not only unsuccessful but extremely paternalistic," he said.

The Dail Committee on Legislation and Security yesterday accepted his motion calling for a review of the liquor laws with a view to making recommendations to various government departments about possible changes.

The committee is to invite views from interested bodies, such as the Licensed Vintners' Association, unions representing bar staff and other groups.

Mr Paul McGrath TD (Fine Gael) said that while he agreed with the proposal for a review, "I think this will evoke a lot of emotion right across the country." Mr John Browne TD (Fine Gael) said the committee should also invite groups who were opposed to change, such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Advocating wide consultation, Dr Michael Woods TD (Fianna Fail) warned that the committee would find that "everybody is interested in this ... They will want to know what is being done and why".

The committee chairman, Mr Charles Flanagan TD (Fine Gael), said he believed the committee should also look at the law relating to off licences, which he described as "archaic and haphazard". He believed the committee should first invite representatives of the Department of Justice to discuss possible changes, and only then talk to other interested parties.

The committee agreed to do this and then to invite written submissions from interested groups.