Publicans opposing new alcohol laws are 'protecting business owners' 

New legislation aims to modernise the country's patchwork of laws governing alcohol sales in pubs, restaurants, and off-licences

The proposed bill would remove the extinguishment provision, a rule whereby a new operator cannot enter the pub trade without first acquiring an existing licence, controlling the market supply of overall pubs.

Publicans that oppose the liberalisation of pub licensing laws are doing so to protect business owners, an Oireachtas hearing discussing the Sale of Alcohol Bill has heard.

Independent senator, Lynn Ruane, told the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) and the Licensed Vintners' Association (LVA) that their objection to removing supply constraints through the extinguishment provision was not listening to the changing trends of the country.