Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I spoke about having this Bill passed before the early afternoon. I think we are getting into the evening. Despite the fact that I have tasted the product abroad, I assure the Minister that I have visited Cooley Distillery and have partaken of the bespoke gin. Equally, I have brought people from Kentucky, the home of bourbon, to taste the flavours of my own constituency. While I am not an expert on these things, I do believe in local tourism and supporting rural industry. I do accept that the Minister has a query regarding section 1(5) where it does mention 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. I understand where the Minister is coming from. I am sure he will find it unusual that I am supporting Deputies Clare Daly and Wallace, not to mention Deputy Kelly, but I think the Minister can sense the consensus that exists and I would expect him to do what is right. When it comes to tourism, which is what I have been speaking about, 6 p.m., particularly on a summer's evening, is not the end of the day for any tourist who would like to visit these premises.

We seem to be comparing mass production of these products to craft and artisan producers. I do not perceive that Deputy Kelly's friends would be traipsing down and using an artisan brewery as an off-licence, which is what has been suggested. A bit like the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I think they would head for the Dutch Gold. We remember that on the Luas not too long ago. When I say that, I jest.

My final point concerns support for agriculture. This is not just about the craft brewery. It is about the production of barley. Somebody referred earlier to the food event last night which I attended and where we were provided with Irish wine. People who are using their brains are starting to look at mixing, dare I say it, parsnips and some other product into various forms of alcohol. If this is to help the renewal and continuation of rural industry and jobs, I implore the Minister to accept the spirit of glasnost, as has often been referred to, that exists in this House with regard to furthering the tourism industry and local business.

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