Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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It would be similar in a rural pub. I spent three years as a publican and had two or three customers sitting around the counter on a Tuesday or Wednesday night. This is something we can address. There needs to be a bit of joined-up thinking on it. I would be interested in the group's views. Is there potential in that regard?

It is generally accepted that The Gathering in 2013 was a success across the board. Is there potential, perhaps in 2016, for a home gathering - something that would encourage the Irish to make that a year of staying at home because of all of the events that will be put on for those who choose to holiday at home?

With regard to the pub sector, obviously, from a policy point of view, the 9% rate of VAT does not affect pubs that do not serve food. Often these are the old traditional pubs that a lot of tourists come here to see where the only bit of food one might get would be a pink snack or cheese and onion crisps. Unfortunately, this is something that is being ignored by policy makers. As recently as last night, I got a reply to a parliamentary question asking what is being done to support pubs in rural areas and to prevent job losses and closures. There is a scene in the Guinness advertisement where the light is going off on Christmas Eve and the "Closed" sign is up on the door, and we will see a lot more of that unless pubs in rural areas are protected.

Deputy Tom Fleming made an excellent proposal. Is it something on which we could build a cross-party movement towards putting in place policy directions that will help sustain and create jobs again in that sector?