The Minister for Justice said today he would consider relaxing the ban on children being on licensed premises during the summer holidays.
Mr McDowell met groups representing vintners, off-licences and hotels for two hours yesterday evening. Among the subjects discussed were the sale of vodka sachets and the children ban.
The groups are concerned that the ban - which excludes children under the age of 18 from being on licensed premises after 9.00 p.m - is deterring families from visiting bars and hotels, leading to a decrease in profits.
Mr McDowell said this morning he was prepared to look at extending the watershed during the peak holiday season in summer to 10.00 p.m. He said he was "open to revisiting this issue if a workable, enforceable solution can be identified".
However, he warned he would not introduce an amendment that would result in children spending the night in a pub. He said he believed the watershed time "provides for a sensible balance between family groups and young people going out for a bite to eat and settling in to a bar for a night's drinking".
The Minister also said he was reassured by the licensed trade bodies that their members had agreed not to stock vodka sachets. They are "clearly aimed at young people," he said.
The minister said he will ask the Garda Commissioner to ensure their sale is monitored.