Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support it and I compliment the Deputy. He mentioned his experience of Fáilte Ireland, which we all have, and we are trying to get out tourist products and promote our country. There are job losses every second week in our provincial towns but what we are talking about now is the best of rural Ireland. We have it in our culture. The Deputy's colleague, Deputy Penrose, recently introduced a Bill regarding Irish song, dance and music. Bhí craic againn and this obair is the same; it is of the people and by the people. We are talking about people's products, the capabilities and expertise that they have. These people have done their research and I have tasted the products from Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe's constituents in Mitchelstown, Eight Degrees Brewing. It is good stuff and it would put hair on one's chest. The name explains it. It is near the Minister of State's constituency as well.

We must support these entrepreneurs and, as the Minister of State noted, licensing is a different issue if there are to be extended hours. We can see how liberal is the licensing regime for all kinds of alcohol in off-licences. I am 100% a supporter of the pubs, especially those in rural areas. They have their licences approved by eminent judges and are not objected to by the Garda. They look after their customers. Customers in off-licences can buy copious amounts of alcohol. I am not talking about those attached to the pub but rather the mushrooming of such sales in supermarkets and everywhere. I pity anybody recovering from alcohol addiction or anything else if they have to buy a loaf of bread, a pound of butter or 20 cigarettes. It is in front of people everywhere. There is legislation to deal with that as well and we must be delicate about it.

We must support what we have left of rural Ireland and this is certainly an effort to do so. There are 450 people working in this sector already and it is mushrooming. People are willing to put their hands in their pockets, such as my neighbours, to develop a business and have another outlet for our own malting barley. That is instead of selling it. I am delighted to be able to support the Bill and I look forward to its passage through the House. I note the Minister of State has indicated the Government will not oppose it. There will be amendments in respect of the licensing laws in case people have what the kids might call a sleep-over. This is about a tourism product that is the best of the truly Irish, which can be shown to people from all over the world. Although I am not experienced in vineyards, I know my colleague, Deputy Wallace, is. I will allow him to pick up that topic. I have experience with corn since I was a búachaill óg, using the reaper-binder to make sheaves. Good practices have grown in the production of top-class grain, particularly malting barley. Ar aghaidh leis an mBille. I thank Deputy Fitzmaurice for allowing me contribute at this time.

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