Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I was going to say you could do with a pint after all that.

There are approximately 7,200 pubs in the country. That still is a substantial amount. The rural pub does play a very important social role in rural communities and, indeed, for the urban community to visit rural communities and enjoy the ambiance, relaxation and engagement with people.

We fully acknowledge that. I think there have been a lot of changes in society over the years and the majority of rural pubs closing may have to do with family obligations. Many were kept going by an individual member of the family, with younger members maybe not in a position to take it up because of full-time jobs and so on.

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