Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Unlike vineyard owners and wine producers in France, craft brewers and distillers in Ireland are not allowed to sell their products on site. This Bill allows for the sale of the product on site, which is great news, because the craft brewing industry in Ireland is going from strength to strength and shows little sign of slowing down. Turnover has increased a staggering 11-fold between 2011 and 2016, and there is real potential for further development of the craft beer industry, in both numbers and output. An increase in the number of production breweries to more than 100 and a fivefold increase in output is possible over the longer term. There are about 90 microbreweries in Ireland at the moment. Any sober analysis of the industry would conclude that the microbreweries of Wicklow are outstanding and, it would be argued, probably the best in the country. I am proud to be able to point to that from personal experience.

Wicklow Wolf in Bray is going from strength to strength. Manor Brewing Company in Manor Kilbride was the winner of the Alltech brews award. Wicklow Brewery in Redcross has won a number of awards since being established about three years ago. Brother Brewing in Kilcoole is the all-Ireland craft beer multi-award winners. That is to name but a few. All these are successful businesses and many are already engaged in running tours of their breweries. This Bill will empower them top sell their product at the point of origin, which makes for a much more powerful and eminently sensible tourist offering in a brewery.

While Fianna Fáil supports the Bill, and I am personally delighted to do so, Ireland has a long way to go in ensuring that alcohol consumption is reduced. The binge-drinking culture must be dealt with along with the serious negative health effects we can see around the country.

The Bill before us, however, would allow brewers to sell their product to those visiting brewery sites. It seems to be a logical and sensible proposal, which I am delighted to support.

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