Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, to the House and congratulate him on his appointment as Minister for Justice and Equality. He comes very well equipped to that role and has vast experience in that area. I also pay credit to his former role as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and his work in Northern Ireland trying to re-establish the power-sharing Executive there. I hope that comes to fruition sooner rather than later. It is inconceivable that they will not realise the necessity of power-sharing as they face into the Brexit situation.

In respect of this Bill, it is welcome that the Government will adopt it. Although Senator Lawless has brought in the Bill, he accepts it will go through faster when Government, Opposition and Independent Members work together. It is timely. This Bill was introduced before by former Senator Imelda Henry, who is in the Gallery today and worked very hard on it. We disagreed on it at the time. I adopted a stance similar to that of Senator O'Reilly at that stage. However, like on the road to Damascus, we changed our opinion. It was impractical, particularly in respect of Dublin. Incidentally, these provisions do not force anybody to open on Good Friday. If conscientious objectors have any problem, they do not need to open. It is a matter for themselves, which is reasonable. I am also aware that Padraig Cribben and the Vintners Federation of Ireland are working on this.

Frankly, the Bill is quite irrelevant because a number of pubs will not be open next year to avail of its provisions. A lot of rural pubs will be gone. The Government, Government Members of independent stature and others can publish statements about naming and shaming and all that stuff. It is all going to damage rural Ireland and rural pubs. How nice this is. This is just trimmings. One day will not make any difference to the life and soul of rural pubs. We are witnessing the beginning of the end of rural pubs in Ireland. Unfortunately, the Government and Sinn Féin supporters will be collaborating in this regard. That is fine. That is the way they want to go. It will be a sad day for rural Ireland when the reality hits home. It will be too late to reverse the situation then. The laws are there and are being enforced. They are effective and they are getting results. I think people realise that. There is no way I will in away endorse anyone drinking alcohol. That is not a question of fact.