Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. We are enjoying a new industry that is growing in Ireland. Although we realise the need to reduce access to alcohol and alcohol consumption, this Bill is not about promoting consumption. It is about supporting many craft brewers and distillers. It sorely needs to be passed and enacted so that we can help small businesses create employment and drive tourism. I have many friends and their family members in Carlow and Kilkenny who are very grateful for the growth of this industry because the breweries and distillers, which are labour-intensive, create significant employment - certainly in my own constituency. We have the wonderful Walsh Whiskey Distillery in Royal Oak, County Carlow, and O'Hara's Brewery, while Carlow Institute of Technology even has a unique brewing and distilling course.

The brewing and distilling industry in Ireland is growing rapidly and includes a beer sector that employs 2,000 people. It supports thousands of farming families, direct employment in distilling and will see growth of 30% by 2025 with massive growth in microbreweries, with 100 expected by 2025. There are plans to invest €1 billion in the whiskey industry and to grow market share by 300%. A total of 28 distilleries and 62 microbreweries are now operating or are being developed on the island of Ireland. These small ventures are started by families and friends and they pride themselves on their local product. They put their heart and soul into this ancient tradition and give good jobs to good families. They can form the backbone of a tourism boost for areas without sufficient historical monuments or archaeological sites. According to figures from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland, turnover at Irish microbreweries rose to €52 million in 2016 from €8 million in 2012. This is a growing industry. Brewing is an ancient tradition in Ireland and is something we can and should show off to our visitors. While the concept of a tour of the brewery, which also creates employment for tour guides, is all-important, I firmly believe in the need to allow people to buy on the premises and to take home a sample of a high-quality locally produced item. Let them take home a taste of Carlow and they will know why I am always singing about it.