The chief executive of the Irish Hotels Federation has described as "irrational, ill-thought-out and impractical" two provisions of the Intoxicating Liquor Bill which are due to be passed into law this week by the Dáil.
Mr John Power said one provision barring children in bars after 8 p.m. was unreasonable and interfered with a family's right to relax as a unit.
"Ireland receives criticism that it is not as child friendly as other destinations like France, Spain, Portugal or Italy, and this Bill, if passed without amendment, will further exacerbate this," he said.
The IHF also believed that the obligation that everybody under the age of 21, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, carry documentary evidence of age when in the bar area of hotels is impractical and unworkable.
The penalty for a hotel allowing such a person being on its premises is a closure order on its licensed business for up to 30 days.
"While we totally support all practical measures to eliminate under-age drinking or the abuse of alcohol, it is essential that the measures must be practicably enforceable and focussed on the activities, which create the problem," said Mr Power.