The Vintners' Federation of Ireland has described Budget 2012 as 'mixed', welcoming upcoming legislation on the sale of cheap alcohol but criticising the 2% VAT increase.

The Vintners' Federation of Ireland said today that 30,000 jobs have been lost in the industry over the last four or five years, with the loss of a further 5,000 expected next year.

The Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) is bitterly disappointed by the failure of the Minister for Finance to reduce the current exorbitant excise duties on alcohol.

TRAVELLERS will find it harder to take claims against publicans who refuse them service under new procedures to be put to government today.