Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree 100% with Deputy Kelly on off-sales. If a premises is too small to conduct a tour because it is not safe to do so for health and safety reasons, I do not think that brewery should be allowed to sell beer to consume on the premises. However, I think - and Deputy Kelly raised this point - we should allow every unit to make off-sales to local people, regardless of whether they can conduct a tour. I have no problem in agreeing to the principle of a tour for breweries that can facilitate the tour and allowing the clients to taste the craft beer in the on-site tap room. In other words, tasting can only take place when one does a tour. It is irrational not to allow the off-sale of quantities of craft beer to local people. It is not practical. Such a provision will have to be incorporated into the Bill.