Labour spokesperson on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Alan Kelly, has launched a bill aimed at boosting craft beer tourism in Ireland by removing a major regulatory barrier for breweries, microbreweries, cider makers and distilleries.

The Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Bill 2016 would allow these businesses to sell their own produce to tourists and other visitors on site, which is not the case under current licensing laws.

Deputy Kelly said: "The ability to fully capitalise on this potential for `craft beer tourism' is being hampered by current licensing regulations, which require producers to have a pub license or an off-licence to sell their produce, made on site, to tourists and visitors.

"For example, can you imagine a situation existing in Italy, France or Spain, where tourists visiting vineyards are prevented from purchasing wine at the end of their tour?

"The Bill includes safeguards such as time restrictions of between 10am and 6pm for sales, and fines to ensure owners don't sell alcohol that is not brewed on site. And there's a clause preventing the license holders from applying for the types of exemptions and/or extensions to opening hours that pubs and clubs for example, can apply for.

"The objective here is simple: to remove a regulatory barrier to growth and support an expanding industry in Ireland."