A short Bill to allow for some extension of drinking-up time over New Year's Eve would be introduced before Christmas, but most publicans were closing that night, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said.

Mr Charles Flanagan (Fine Gael, Laois/Offaly), during the order of business, said one of the few Bills that was published earlier this year was the Intoxicating Liquor Bill, which allowed, among other things, for all-night drinking over the eve of the millennium, which, he understood, was at the behest of the "Minister for the Millennium", Mr Seamus Brennan.

This Bill had not been seen since. Could he ask the Taoiseach what the situation would be regarding the legislation. Would the country be drinking all night on the millennium or was the Minister for Justice about to do another U-turn, he asked.

The Taoiseach said there would be a short Bill before Christmas which would allow some extension of the drinking-up time but he was sure the deputy had noted that most publicans were closing.

Mrs Nora Owen, Fine Gael spokesperson of justice, said that in the renegotiated Programme for Government a commitment was given to have additional taxis in place by Christmas.

"Perhaps when Minister O'Donnell has recovered from her humiliation at the hands of Fianna Fail she might put her mind to something that was PD policy and something we have been asking for - would the Government bring in a regulation over Christmas to at least allow hackneys to use the bus lanes and where are the extra taxis?"

To laughter, Mr Pat Rabbitte (Labour, Dublin South West) asked: "Does the Minister for the Millennium propose to take the candles around in taxis over the Christmas?"