Hoteliers want children's bar ban lifted

HOTELIERS have called on the Government to lift the ban on children in bars after 9pm because of a backlash from parents.

The restrictions, part of Justice Minister Michael McDowell's crackdown on underage drinking, have been in place for the past six months. However, the Irish Hotel Federations (IHF) claims feedback from their members shows parents are not happy with the ban.

The IHF has called for the introduction of a children's certificate system, allowing gardaí to grant permission to hotels to allow anyone under-18 remain in bar areas after 9pm, when food was being served or where there was family entertainment.