Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy John Lahart could have had a couple of pints during his ten minutes. It might seem strange to my colleagues that somebody who does not consume alcohol is so supportive of the Bill. Apart from the odd time when I drink it for medicinal purposes, I do not consume alcohol. Much of the reason is I spend most of my life driving a vehicle on the road. Someone can no longer go and have a drink and then drive because the laws have become so tight. Every so often something happens which ignites a spark and what Deputy Alan Kelly has done is highly significant. If nurtured and supported properly, it could become a huge factor, not alone in creating employment but also as a tourism product.

In the run-up to the support for this Bill, I visited a brewery in Ballinlough in County Roscommon, owned by Mr. Richard Siberry. It was probably one of the most fascinating journeys that I made in my constituency for some time. It is amazing to go into these small breweries and see how they operate. The small number of people who work there are very enthusiastic. I welcome people from the various breweries from throughout the country. They are not looking for open-ended hours to serve beer. The Bill is very tight and Deputy Kelly has done well. They will only sell their own products on the premises. They are so excited that this could become reality. They would be able to sell the products and maybe discuss it over a cup of coffee. I believe that they will become major tourist attractions.

There are one or two breweries, or maybe more, in most counties now. They all seem to be working quite successfully. Deputy Kelly mentioned that 439 jobs have been created already at these small breweries in the Twenty-six Counties. That is quite a significant figure. If any of us found out in our constituency tomorrow that some employer was going to come in and create between 400 and 500 jobs, there would be céad míle fáilte and a sense that it was fantastic. This brewing business is in its infancy. I believe that in a few years, with proper support from the State for this type of development, those figures could go to 1,500 or 2,000. I believe it can become a significant employer and that it will not do any damage to pubs. I know a number of pubs that are distributing and selling those craft beers. I do not think there is going to be any conflict there. There is going to be no difficulty if breweries close at a certain time in the evening.

There is an explosion in the number of these breweries throughout the country. I acknowledge what Deputy Lahart said about former Deputy Brian Cowen and what he did for the business back in 2005. There is no reason all those breweries cannot flourish. We have our local enterprise offices, LEOs, in every county, which provide mentoring. We have supports that were never really there. The enthusiasm that is coming from the people who are running these little breweries gives a feel-good factor. The Bill just removes a significant barrier that needs to be taken away.

This is a great idea. I admire the people who are championing it. I admire the way they have gone to their Deputies and not lobbied, but just let us know what exactly is going on and what is happening in the premises. I would say to anyone who has not been to one of these small breweries to go and take in the enthusiasm and listen to the people. When I visited Richard's brewery in Ballinlough in Roscommon, he took me into this little cold room and pointed to three pallets of beer going to America, which were his first export lot. He was so excited about that. Roscommon people were always known as the sheep stealers. I do not ever accept that title. One of Richard's craft beers is entitled Sheep Stealer. I do not mind. As long as he sells enough bottles of Sheep Stealer and creates his little tourism hub and more employment, I will be happy and I am supportive, as is my party, of this Bill from Deputy Kelly.

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