Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I would like to raise with the Leader the call yesterday in Killarney by the Irish Hotels Federation for a certificate system to allow children in hotel bars after 9 p.m. This relates to the legislation passed in this House which bans children from being in bars after 9 p.m. The federation raised a valid concern about the difficulties and problems this will pose for the business. It will have a knock-on effect on tourism in general. A large part of hotel business comes from parents who have their young children with them in the hotels. They would often bring the children to the residents' bar in the hotel at night and this has always fitted in with the atmosphere and ethos in hotels. There is no question of children drinking alcohol, but parents do not want to leave their children alone in the room. This is part of the holiday. It has been happening for many years during the holiday season and has not caused problems. I ask the Minister to come to this House to review the legislation in light of what has been said. Perhaps he would consider the proposal that there should be a certificate system similar to that in the UK. It would allow the Garda to grant suitable hotels permission for children to be in bars in hotels with their parents after 9 p.m. if food is being served or family entertainment is being provided.