Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

Yes, but not on a Sunday. With regard to remaining open for one hour after the conclusion of a conference, I am aware from having attended international conferences that it often takes an hour to get out of the hall in which the meeting was held. Therefore, an hour might not be sufficient. I suggest it should be a period of two hours, to allow people wind down after a conference. Otherwise, it should be indicated to the organisers of conferences that they need to factor the current provision into their arrangements.

I consider the duty of excise of €500 is low. Perhaps that should be re-examined, given the potential earnings from the projected 8,000 conference attendances.

See this speech in context