The Taoiseach has met representatives from the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) amid speculation the Government may extend the 9 p.m. ban on children in pubs to 10 p.m. during the summer.
The Government is thought to be considering a relaxation of the ban following concerns raised by the tourist industry.
However the concession is unlikely to appease publicans, who say the restriction, coupled with the smoking ban, is severely damaging their business.
Mr Ahern met with the VFI this morning while attending the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party seminar in Inchydoney, Co Cork, and is due to give a press conference later today.
A spokeswoman for the VFI said the federation voiced a number of concerns facing the industry to the Taoiseach including the 9 p.m. watershed and the smoking ban.
The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, who is due to publish legislation relating to the sale of alcohol in the coming months, is understood to be against any fundamental change in the law.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Justice said the Minister was considering relaxing the ban by an hour during the summer months but that on the whole he felt the ban was working well and feedback from the gardaí had been positive.