Kitt blasts Dublin pint price rise
Two Government Ministers appear on a collision course over plans to deregulate the pub trade in Dublin.
Just a week after Health Minister Micheál Martin warned that deregulation would lead to more alcohol abuse, his colleague Tom Kitt is insisting the Government will act unless Dublin publicans "came into line".
A fresh warning from Minister Kitt is due after weekend reports that the price of a pint in the capital had jumped 30p in recent weeks.
Minister Kitt said last night that publicans were giving tourists a bad impression, and if vintners cannot bring their members into line, then the Government will have to act - however, a new prices order is not being considered at this stage.
One of the Minister's favoured options is the introduction of continental-style cafe bars.
Meanwhile, on the issue of underage drinking, Minister Kitt has stated his belief that the issue should be dealt with through law enforcement and education, and not through protecting the existing Dublin pub trade.
