The Minister for Justice has extended the curfew on children in pubs and licensed premises to 10 p.m. during the summer months, in a move that is likely to be widely welcomed by the trade.
Mr McDowell made the announcement in the Dáil this afternoon.
He accepted an amendment to the liquor licensing legislation from the Fine Gael TD and justice spokesman Mr Jim O'Keeffe. The time limit on children in pubs will be extended to 10 p.m. from May to December, Mr McDowell said.
Mr McDowell agreed the 9 p.m. curfew on under 18s was 'a bit too tough', particularly in tourist areas. The hotel and restaurant trade had been particularly vociferous in opposing the legislation, claiming families who wanted to have a meal or socialise at traditional 'sessions' were being unfairly penalised.
Mr McDowell said the issue would be revisited when more comprehensive legislation on the licensing laws comes before the Dail.
Fine Gael's tourism spokesman Mr Jimmy Deenihan welcomed the amendment.
"Accepting this amendment is a victory for common sense and will enable families on holidays during the summer months to enjoy a meal or outing together until a reasonable hour. The 9 p.m. deadline adversely affected family holidays this year and seriously damaged summer business," he said.
"As I said in the Dáil this morning, I have been contacted by tourism interests all over the country whose businesses have been affected by the measure and I know today's news will be a great relief to them."
Labour TD Breeda Moynihan Cronin also welcomed the announcement.
She said this had a serious effect on the tourist industry over the summer in particular in many parts of the country.
"I welcome this announcement. I was first to raise the matter with the minister in the Dáil in June and expressed to him the concerns of the tourist industry in my constituency and other parts of the country. It is a pity this year's tourist season has not benefited from this change but I hope it will have a positive impact in the years ahead," she said.
"I am now pleased that he has seen fit to extend the time to 10.00pm which will make it less of a headache for families in particular when they are holidaying Ireland with their children", she added.
The Progressive Democrats senator Mr Tom Morrissey said it was an "eminently sensible move".
"The 9 p.m. ban on children in pubs caused difficulties for many families during the holiday period. It was also causing headaches for publicans up and down the country," he said.