Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important Bill. First, it is important we recognise that the outdoor dining space and all that goes with that has been a positive step and gives more of a socially attractive position to many of our towns. We brought in this because of a particular circumstance and to help the hospitality sector.

It is important we get it right for the future so that we do not end up having an ad hocarrangement going forward.

One of the points I would like to address in particular is the idea that where outdoor dining is taking up foothpaths and public spaces that, we also take into account and bear in mind accessibility for people with disabilities, who have been used to using footpaths and thoroughfares. I have seen cases where this has been compromised a bit with what has happened and what has been done. It is important we take that into account.

It is also important that when we are talking about hospitality, we are not just talking about drinking and being out on the street drinking. It is also about dining and all that goes with that. It is important we show respect to other people in the streets to ensure they do not feel intimidated by seeing a crowd sitting outside a pub drinking and do not know whether to walk up or down. It might be that people going to evening mass need to have their privacy catered for rather than having people looking at them walking up and down the streets. There are lots of nuances in this. Generally, we need to put the long-term and thought-out legislation in place, so that people will be able to work with the new system.

As well as that, the extension of the sunset clause gives that peace of mind to the pub and restaurant owners who have taken up the option of using the outdoor space. It is important we bring that clarity to them. I know of some publicans who have invested a lot of money in this new outdoor space. They have invested a lot of time and have created a completely different offering for their patrons, and it has been welcomed with open arms. It is important we make it permanent but that we look at the legislation to make sure we are not doing anything that will have unintended consequences.

While this is great, I ask the Government not to forget the vulnerable and those with disabilities and accessibility problems. They must be taken into account in whatever legislation has been brought forward.

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