Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for appearing before the committee. I wish to echo what was said earlier. The pub trade, both urban and rural, is a vital part of all our communities. I value the work that all the witnesses are doing in Dublin and elsewhere across the country. It is a meeting place which provides an opportunity for people to gather together, thus combatting both rural and urban isolation, which is a big issue for many people. People can meet in the pub to celebrate or commiserate. It provides a service without which many communities would be worse off. I wish therefore to thank the witnesses for their contribution to Irish life and society. I thank them for their submissions and contributions today. We will formulate a letter to the Minister of State, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, with the transcript of today's meeting and a copy of both submissions.

I also wish to thank members of the committee and on that note we will now adjourn until 6 December 2016 at 2 p.m.