John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

Sometimes it is like "The Muppet Show" in this House. Will the Leader examine the situation of pubs in rural areas? I am particularly cognisant of the fact that we have passed legislation introducing the smoking ban and reducing the blood-alcohol limit for drivers, which we are to reduce further. Pubs encounter difficulties at 11 p.m. and 12 p.m. in clearing their houses because of a shortage of taxis. It is a simple issue. Having created the difficulty, it is time that we did something to assist these pubs. One cannot transport a few thousand people from the pubs in a district within a short space of time. The gardaí are calling to ask why the house is not cleared and the house is not cleared because it is not safe for people to travel. We need a regulation or a Bill to allow people extra time so they can get home safely.