Fianna Fail TD critical of 'daft' cafe bars

A Government backbencher has described plans by Minister for Justice Michael McDowell to introduce cafe bars as a "daft notion".

John McGuinness (Fianna Fáil, Carlow-Kilkenny) said that he did not know "who came up with the idea of cafe bars, but it certainly did not arise in my constituency, and it would not relate to my constituency".

Speaking during a debate on the Criminal Justice Bill, he said that "discussion anti-social behaviour on the one hand and establishing cafe bars throughout the country does not exactly gel".

The Kilkenny TD said such cafe bars "are not necessary in the trade, and I doubt that society will accept them".

There was "no need for them", and "it would be helpful to the trade and to communities if the Minister were to state clearly that this idea will be abandoned. It would be worthwhile."

However, Minister of State Tom Parlon, standing in for the Minister for Justice who was abroad on EU business, intervened and said that it would be left "to the local authorities to make a decision on it".

Mr McGuinness insisted, however, that the Dáil had to make the first decision.

"The first decision on anti-social behaviour orders and the daft notion of cafe bars must be debated fully in this House.

"The decision must be taken here, not outside the House."

He said that "the issue should be defused sooner rather than later".

"That is my view and it is the view of many other members of the House."

Mr Parlon replied, however, that "publicans have a strong view on it, not the public".

Mr Bernard Durkan (Fine Gael, Kildare North) believed that cafe bars would be "an extension of drinking emporiums onto the footpath".

"Is this a desirable development at this time?

" I am as liberal as anybody else, but for some unknown reason the more accessible drinking becomes, the worse people's behaviour becomes.

"It is virtually impossible to control the situation," he added.