Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister. As I believe this is the first time she has been to the House since taking up her new portfolio, I wish her every luck and success with it and have no doubt she will acquit herself with great aplomb, as she has done in other briefs she has held.

As my colleague said, I welcome the context for this legislation. It is a short Bill to deal with a specific item. It is essential that a national conference centre have an intoxicating liquor licence. As one who does not have a great deal of experience of having travelled abroad, although I have travelled abroad on a few occasions, most developed countries have a convention centre. This centre will be a huge asset to Dublin city and the nation. The facility in Spencer Dock is one from which future generations will reap the rewards.

This is a technical Bill, in respect of which I have one query. I welcome the legislation and thank my colleagues for giving it a speedy passage through the House. Would a debacle similar to that which happened on the occasion of the rugby match in Limerick on Good Friday be likely to occur in the case of this centre if a convention were to extend over the Easter period? Does the Bill cover situations such as a banquet, conference or some such set up? If so, the situation would not arise where somebody could say the convention centre in Dublin was able to serve drink on Good Friday when the matter would refer, obviously, to a particular event, convention or banquet. That is a general query, although perhaps it is inappropriate to ask it of the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, when it may be one for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. That issue caused widespread furore and national interest. Some tell me they see nothing wrong with such a measure, provided it is controlled, and that Good Friday drinking should be reintroduced. I have a different view but, that said, it was a topical debate some weeks ago. Perhaps the Minister might respond to this. It may not affect the Bill in any way.

I welcome the Bill and have nothing further to say on it.