Vintners: Café bars will not reduce binge-drinking
The Licensed Vintners' Association has said the Government's plans to introduce new licences for so-called "café bars" will do nothing to prevent binge-drinking.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has announced plans to introduce new licences for such premises in an effort to promote a "Mediterranean-style" drinking culture in Ireland.
However, the LVA, which represents Dublin publicans, said any move to increase the number of drinking outlets in the country would lead to an accompanying increase in public order problems.
The association's chief executive, Donal O'Keefe, also said there was no demand for an increase in the number of pubs.
"Who wants more pubs in Ireland?" he asked. "Do consumers want it, do the enforcement authorities, do the health professionals?
"And how can you say, in an Irish context, with our cultural attitude to alcohol, that more pubs will contribute to a reduction in binge-drinking?"
