Licensing laws - Child ban will damage the economy

Minister for Tourism John O’Donoghue is well aware of the importance of the industry even without the insights his portfolio affords him, coming, as he does, from one of the most tourism-dependent counties in the country.

So, although he would be very sensitive to issues that have an adverse effect on a considerable swathe of his support, Mr O'Donoghue is quite right to question the logic of banning young people from licensed premises after 9pm.

However, he would appear to be on a collision course with Minister for Justice Michael McDowell who is adamant there will be no change in the law.