A Fianna Fail TD has claimed that plans by a low-price British chain to open pubs in Ireland will feed the culture of binge drinking and underage alcohol abuse in Ireland.
Barry Andrews also attacked cut-price drink promotions and said publicans should be reminded that it is illegal to serve alcohol to someone who is already drunk.
Mr Andrews was responding to plans by the British chain JD Weatherspoons to open a pub in Dublin's Capel Street in the coming months and to subsequently expand its operations in Ireland.
Rowen, the director of the Rutland Centre, which treats drug addicts and alcoholics, described the plans as "frightening".