Café bar plan set to spark backbench revolt

JUSTICE MINISTER Michael McDowell’s plan to introduce café bar licences is set to trigger the biggest backbench revolt in eight years of coalition government.

With as many as 40 TDs and senators already backing a parliamentary party motion against the proposal, there are also signs of growing impatience among backbenchers about the lack of consultation by ministers over policy.

Many TDs have criticised what they see as Government “by writ” where policies are presented to TDs as a fait accompli with no opportunity for debate.