In the middle of acute crises in housing and health, as well as the total mess the Government has made of the refugee situation, have the Taoiseach and the Cabinet nothing better to do than try to undermine and destroy publicans throughout the country? That is what the Government is doing with its proposals for late openings up to the morning in cities and big places, opening the pubs earlier in the morning in the country and deregulating the licences. That is what I understand the Government is trying to do. That was needed one time with the taxi regulations but we saw what happened after that. These are family businesses in many cases have that have given excellent service for generations and support their communities in every way. It looks like the Government is going to give a licence to anybody to have a bar now. Has the Government nothing else to do, with the crimes statistics and everything else, only come up with these mad proposals in a time of crisis? Is it just a distraction it is trying to create? The Taoiseach has six weeks left in office. Is that going to be his legacy, that he will not deal with any of the serious problems but will bring in all the sideline stuff that nobody wants and nobody is interested in? It is only going to destroy our young people and our countryside.

There is no shortage and no challenge or difficulty in accessing alcohol in the country. If we did nothing, there would be no issue accessing alcohol.

I know that. There is plenty of it already.

What the Minister for Justice brought forward, and what the Government is supporting, is legislation for how we regulate that, identify venues and locations, and the conditions and the framework around that. Some organisations in the hospitality sector are welcoming this. Others may not. Regarding the points the Deputy made, I presume he is talking about the extinguishing of licences. Again, there are conditions attached to that.

And new licences.

It is not a full extinguishing. In terms of a new licence-----

There are hundreds of them for sale.

-----the existing system inhibits a person in rural Ireland, for example, who may want to provide a service from having that option.

You cannot give away a pub.

I think the Deputy is being a bit overdramatic-----

I am not.

-----in his description of the legislation that has been brought forward.

It will destroy our country.

It will not impact on me to any great extent.

You will be gone.

There might be some younger members of the Cabinet who could avail of the 6 a.m. closing time but I do not think I will be among them.

You might not get any green tea.

I think I will get more green tea now.