The Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) has said it is not seeking direct financial compensation for rural publicans whose business was suffering from stricter drinking laws.
The VFI released a statement today to clarify its position after a newspaper report said it was calling on the Government to reimburse its members for a loss of earnings due to the introduction of random breath testing.
The VFI said it was not proposing direct monetary compensation for individual publicans but supported measures such as special hackney licences for publicans who are putting local transport initiatives in place
It also suggested more favourable insurance provisions or reduced VRT on people carriers for the publicans.
In its statement, the VFI said it "fully supports all measures to help stop carnage on our roads, but communities who have been seriously disadvantaged by the new law cannot be overlooked and left with no alternative but to stay at home.
"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 VFI said.
Yesterday Minister for Transport Martin Cullen called on road users to be especially careful in the run-up to Christmas.
Some 374 alleged drink-driving incidents were recorded by the Garda in the period from the November 27th to December 4th, figures released yesterday.
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