Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I recently made the same case which has been well articulated by the previous speakers. While this country is trying to attract tourists, the vast majority of restaurants now close at 7 p.m. or 8 p.m., apart from high class restaurants which open until late and are regulated by the licensing Acts. Otherwise the only place one can get something to eat is in fast food restaurants. In many instances when families go to town the only place they can get something to eat at a reasonable cost, particularly at the week-end, is in fast food restaurants.