Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)

I rise to discuss a sector that had a turnover in 2022 of €52 million and employs approximately 555 people. It is the craft beer sector in Ireland. We need to have a debate on the laws around licensing. The microbrewery in Ballinlough, west Roscommon, Black Donkey Brewing, recently announced it will cease trading. It has been in existence since 2013. Ms Michaela Dillon and Mr. Richard Siberry came up with the idea. It was the first brewery to brew commercially with native wild yeast. They have cited Ireland's outdated licensing laws as the reason for the closure of the brewery. They also cited a lack of ability to compete and attract other sectors that would be beneficial to the brewery, such as the tourism sector. Tourists could have been brought in to see how the brewery does its process. We need to learn from projects such as The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, where we have created a tourist attraction for a section of the country that does not currently have an attraction. People are now travelling to Drumshanbo to visit The Shed and see how the process works. That is sprouting cafés and other industries in the locality, which benefits rural Ireland.

Mr. Siberry explained to me that there is a petrol station beside the brewery. Somebody can go into the petrol station to buy a bottle of wine from Chile or Argentina for €7.99 but cannot go into the brewery right beside it and sample one of the craft beers. We are doing a disservice to rural businesses and the heritage sector. I believe it could increase footfall and benefit a lot of our rural attractions, such as walking trails, farms and so on. I would welcome a debate if the Leader could facilitate it.