The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) is to step up its opposition to the new licensing law prohibiting young people from bars and hotels after 9 p.m. Regina Daly reports.
In a statement issued yesterday, the federation said the legislation was "clearly anti-family, and while the Minister has undertaken to look at possible amendments when he introduces a new comprehensive Licensing Bill, this is unlikely to come before the Dáil for at least a year, by which time irreparable damage may well have been done".
The law, introduced in September as an amendment to the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2000, makes it an offence for persons under 18 years to be on licensed premises after 9 p.m., whether or not they are with their parents.
It was enacted, according to the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, to curb underage drinking, but many in the catering industry feel it is "unnecessary".
Mr John Power, the chief executive of the IHF, said yesterday the law was "creating difficulties" and was unnecessary.
"We raised our concerns last summer, lobbied the Minister quite hard, and got support in the Dáil before it was brought in.
"We've already made a submission in the context of the Codified Bill, and we'll be lobbying quite hard again over the next few weeks.
"One of our proposals is that establishments get a certificate from local gardaí showing the property's suitability for parents and children in terms of food and entertainment. Certainly, there are areas where this could apply, such as hotels which specialise in families."
The feeling is the same among members of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, particularly those in the western seaboard counties who believe the legislation is bad for business.
Mr Val Hanley, a Galway vintner, believes that licensed premises from Donegal to Kerry will be worst affected.
"This is the first summer it takes effect as it was introduced at the end of last September. You can be sure people who used to come here from Dublin will now go abroad. The summer season is only starting now. The Minister will have to revisit it because it's putting an impossible burden on the industry, which is already weighed down with bureaucracy and red tape."