Competition Authority expresses support for café bars
The Competition Authority has intervened in the controversy surrounding plans to introduce café bar pub licences by expressing its support for the measure.
Justice Minister Michael McDowell announced the move earlier this year, but reports this morning said it was set to be scrapped due to opposition from Fianna Fáil back-benchers.
Mr McDowell's Progressive Democrats colleagues believe the new licences would help tackle Ireland's binge-drinking culture by promoting more relaxed eating and drinking habits.
However, a large number of Fianna Fáil TDs believe it would add to the problem by making alcohol more widely available.
In a statement today, the Competition Authority said it disagreed with this view as there was no evidence to show that controlling the number of pubs affected drinking patterns.
It also said the current licensing regime imposed avoidable costs of more than €1bn on the economy and was leading to higher prices for consumers.
The Tánaiste and PD leader Mary Harney, meanwhile, has also defended the café bar plan, saying Mr McDowell was simply trying to introduce more sensible licensing laws.
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