The Government has insisted it will proceed with the passage of the Intoxicating Liquor Bill in the Dail tomorrow, amid Opposition accusations that it has effectively shelved the measure.

Labour last night demanded a statement explaining why it was no longer intended to proceed with all stages of the Bill today and suggested the Government had succumbed to pressure from the publicans' lobby and Fianna Fail backbenchers.

The Bill, which proposes to abolish the Sunday "holy hour" and remove the ban on Saturday night extensions, received a second reading in the Dail last night. But in a revision of schedules yesterday, further consideration of the measure was excluded from today's business.

The Government Chief Whip, Mr Seamus Brennan, indicated last night the Bill could still be dealt with in the Dail tomorrow.

The proposed legislation would also allow all-night opening on New Year's Eve.