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.