1996/99
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Rural pubs call for 1 am closing
11 March 1998
OPTIMISM ON LONGER OPENING HOURS
By Tom Shiel
Rural pubs will be open until 1.00 am with half an hour drinking up time this summer if demands for a radical reform of the licensing laws are met by the Government.
Mr. Paul O'Grady, President of the Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) told Mayo publicans at their annual general meeting in Castlebar on Monday, that the licensing laws could be amended by May if the right response is forthcoming from the authorities.
Recent moves by the Gardai to tightly and rigorously enforce the licensing laws in four counties- Mayo, Roscommon, Clare and Galway- has galvanised the reform lobby.
Explained Mr. O'Grady:'The recent strict implementation of the licensing laws in four counties is a burning issue.
STRONG MEDICINE
'I cannot say it disagree with the Gardai but it is very strong medicine in a number of counties at a time when our colleagues throughout the country seem to be allowed operate on the old status quo'.
From March 1st, Gardai in Mayo have been imposing a major new crackdown on late-night drinking.
The'get tough' policy means there will be no warnings- the names of those "found-on' will be taken and prosecutions will follow.
Against a background of anger and discontent, Mayo publicans held their annual general meeting on Monday. There were many complaints from delegates that the'playing fields' as regards alcohol sales are distinctly uneven at the moment with night-club operators and discos enjoying a significant advantage.
AGENDA FORWARD
Mr. O'Grady explained that the Government's pilot programme had forced the VFI to bring the whole agenda forward in relation to changes in the licensing hours.
The VFI President hopes to be able to put his organisation's proposals to the new Legal Review Group, chaired by Deputy Charles Flanagan, in the next few weeks. A meeting will then be sought with the Department of Justice.
Explained Mr. O'Grady:'I don't want the message to go out that we are jealous of night-clubs and hotels.Every outlet selling drink will be part of this approach. We are not going to splinter or fight. This is the expedient time because the Government is balanced on a knife-edge'
Mr. O'Grady pointed out that there are seven publicans in the Dail and this could give the embattled vintners an edge if it came to a vote.
AGGRIEVED
The VFI President said some older publicans might feel feel less strongly about clampdown but younger publicans with mortgages would feel very aggrieved because turnovers in some areas have been badly hit.
Mr. O'Grady emphasised:'It cannot be a long negotiation because the turnover of some members has suffered dramatically'.
Knock publican, Michael Carty, who has been re-elected to the National Executive of the VFI, told the Connaught Telegraph that publicans' turnover in the region will be down significantly if the present situation is allowed continue over the summer. 'For an important tourism region, the present trading hours are too restrictive', Mr. Carty stated.
