Deputies back O’Donoghue call on children pub ban

FIANNA FÁIL backbenchers yesterday backed John O’Donoghue’s call for Michael McDowell to change the controversial ban on children being in pubs after 9pm.

But the Minister for Tourism’s Cabinet colleagues declined to support his appeal to the Justice Minister to review the law as it is damaging the tourism industry and social life in rural areas.

Fianna Fáil Limerick West TD John Cregan said he fully agreed with Mr O’Donoghue’s stance, while FF Cork East TD Ned O’Keeffe called for a common sense approach giving publicans greater discretion.

FF Donegal North-East TD Cecilia Keaveney, the chairperson of the Oireachtas tourism committee, said the ban is an issue at local level and she favoured a broader review of the law taking in all the relevant problems.

“I don’t believe pubs should be a babysitting service for toddlers, but it’s about the balance and what is early and what is late,” she said.

Meanwhile, a GAA report on alcohol and substance abuse says cups or trophies should not be filled with any alcoholic drink by successful GAA teams at any level as part of post-match celebrations.