Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023

Appeal against refusal of licence

16. (1) This section applies where a person is notified under section 12 (5) or 15 (6) of a decision by the Executive to refuse to grant or renew a licence.

(2) The person may appeal such decision to the District Court not later than 21 days from the date of the service of the notice referred to in subsection (1).

(3) An appeal under subsection (2) shall be on notice to the Executive.

(4) Where an appeal under subsection (2) relates to the refusal of a licence authorising the sale by retail on or from a premises, the appeal shall be made to the judge of the District Court within whose jurisdiction the premises is located.

(5) Subject to subsection (6), where the appeal under subsection (2) relates to the refusal of a licence authorising the sale by retail from a website (or otherwise online), the appeal shall be made to the judge of the District Court within whose jurisdiction the person making the appeal is ordinarily resident.

(6) An appeal by a person not ordinarily resident in the State shall be brought before a judge of the District Court assigned to the Dublin Metropolitan District.

(7) On the hearing of an appeal under subsection (2), the District Court may—

(a) confirm the decision, or

(b) allow the appeal.

(8) If the District Court allows the appeal, the Executive shall issue a licence or, as the case may be, renew the licence.

(9) Subject to subsection (10), the decision of the District Court on an appeal under subsection (2) on a question of fact is final.

(10) The person who made the appeal or the Executive may, with leave of the District Court, appeal the decision of the Court under subsection (7) to the High Court on a point of law.