Plans to row back 9pm pub ban on children

THE Government is considering extending the 9pm ban on children in pubs to 10pm during Summer months, but has refused to lift the prohibition completely.

The concession, by Justice Minister Michael McDowell, is unlikely to be enough to appease pub and hotel owners complaining that the 9pm ban, allied to the smoking ban, is severely damaging their business.

Publicans are supposed to meet with Fianna Fáil TDs today to discuss their plight after calling off a threatened protest at the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party seminar in Inchydoney, Co Cork earlier this year.