Publicans clarify compensation call

The Vintners Federation of Ireland has moved to clarify its calls for compensation for publicans whose takings have been adversely affected by the introduction of random breath-testing.

On Thursday, federation president Paul Stevenson claimed publicans would be lobbying for compensation as takings had fallen dramatically in rural bars, following the introduction of more rigorous breath-testing measures by gardaí.

The proposal was immediately criticised by road safety agencies as well as the AA and ministers Martin Cullen and Dick Roche.

In a statement issued yesterday the federation, which represents 5,500 members, said it wished to clarify that what it was calling for was "support for those publicans who are putting local transport initiatives in place in local villages and towns where communities are hugely affected by stricter drink-driving laws."

It continued: "This proposal is not about direct monetary compensation for individual publicans across the board.

"The fact of life in rural Ireland today is that people feel totally isolated and forgotten.

"They have lost access to the most basic amenities such as shops, hospitals, neighbours and all that make up a rural society. They are no longer confident to drive to do their day-to-day business on the morning after having a couple of drinks."

The statement concluded that a number of proposals had been put forward, including insurance and motor tax reductions for people carriers or special hackney licences. "The alternative is to urgently make public transport available in rural Ireland. Rural Ireland cannot be abandoned," the statement concluded.

A postscript said the federation would be making no further comment on the issue.

Wicklow Fine Gael TD Billy Timmins yesterday called on Minister for Finance Brian Cowen to introduce appropriate tax reliefs for publicans who provide transport for their patrons.

While he said it was good that drink-driving was being eradicated, "we must also recognise that socialising in a pub is part of the fabric of social life in Ireland ... I believe they should be given tax relief to help defray transport costs".

However Minister for the Environment Dick Roche dismissed the suggestions when he launched a minibus service provided by the Byrne Group, publicans in Greystones, Co Wicklow, yesterday. From tonight the minibus will travel between the Byrne pubs - the Beach House at Greystones Harbour, the Burnaby in the town and the Wicklow Arms in Delgany - serving housing estates across the town from the harbour to Charlesland. The cost to passengers is €1.

Mr Roche said the federation announcement did not seem to acknowledge that the Garda action was aimed at saving lives.

Commenting on the calls for compensation, Mr Roche said: "I am frankly surprised that an organisation that has been around as long as they have could come up with such nonsense. I have a lot of respect for the vintners but those remarks display lack of credibility."

Mr Roche commended the minibus initiative, which he said would save a lot of driving licences "but more importantly might save a life".

He did not believe the initiative would harm the hackney industry."Hackneys and taxis will still be bringing people between towns and villages."