Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister talks about this legislation being moved solely for the purpose of tourism. He is ignoring entirely the discussions that took place at the justice committee, which not only recognised the role craft breweries could play in assisting tourism but also acknowledged that the measures we are proposing are being put forward to help small, indigenous Irish industry, particularly in rural Ireland where it is badly needed. That was the motivating force behind it. I do not recall anybody at the justice committee saying this was only about tourism. It was about assisting microbreweries also.

The Minister said he would have a look at the amendment and would not divide the House if it is only an hour. The Minister is dividing the House. The whole justice committee, including members from Fine Gael, favoured a 7 p.m. finish as being practical.

I will not repeat those points. We were already there so the Minister is the one who is bringing it back. The Minister is asking us not to divide the House. He is the one who is dividing the House because everybody else had already agreed at the Committee on Justice and Equality that 7 p.m. was more sensible for all the other reasons stated. In deference to the fact that the Minister has at last acknowledged that 60 minutes do not make that much difference anyway, I would expect that my amendment and that of Deputy Kelly would be agreed to on that basis.

For the record in case there was any inference, which I found a bit unacceptable, that some sort of sleight of hand procedurally was happening or that people had not checked the procedures, our offices contacted the Bills Office to make sure that what was being put forward was procedurally in order and that everything was being done appropriately. We received that seal of approval regarding the manner in which we would do our business so any claim that there is something underhand here is very unbecoming and I believe the Minister should withdraw that.

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