Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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218. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans for the pubs and independent off-licences, which are part of Ireland’s important small and medium-sized enterprise community, but are continuing to face a difficult economic environment as sales in the employment intensive on-trade have declined by 35% in the past seven years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38196/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Pubs and off-licences are regulated by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, under the liquor licencing laws and I have no direct function in relation to this sector.

However, Officials from my Department recently met with a representative of the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) to discuss their concerns in relation to the forthcoming Budget and other issues of concern to the sector. DIGI represents Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland; Irish Hotels Federation; Licensed Vintners Association; National Off-Licence Association; Restaurants Association of Ireland; Vintners Federation of Ireland. The discussions mainly focused on the Group’s submission to the Minister for Finance for Budget 2015.

Issues related to the Budget are a matter for the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD.