Taoiseach meets VFI members

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is meeting members of the Vintners Federation of Ireland in Cork this morning to discuss a range of issues of concern to publicans.

The meeting was arranged after the publicans threatened to picket the meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party taking place in nearby Inchydoney today and tomorrow.

The ban on children being admitted to pubs after 9pm is expected to top the agenda at today's meeting.

Reports in this morning’s newspapers said Justice Minister Michael McDowell was considering extending the ban to 10pm during the summer months, but was refusing to lift it completely.