Truce between publicans and Travellers in row over service under threat

THE fragile truce between publicans and Travellers in the row over the right to service is again under threat.

Junior Justice Minister Willie O'Dea last night said he had given Traveller groups just one more week to make the submission to the Commission on Liquor Licensing. He said this was agreed in an interim deal in the bitter row which had threatened a nationwide ban by publicans on alcohol sales to Travellers.

The row erupted in August following incidents in Westport, Co Mayo, and led to some heated public exchanges between the publicans' union leadership and Travellers' organisations. Mr O'Dea's intervention helped head off a nationwide ban on Travellers in pubs and it was hoped recommendations aimed at a lasting solution could be framed inside six weeks, dating from mid-August. The interim deal provided for representatives of Traveller groups to make submissions as soon as possible on the following basis: "to examine the rights of licence holders to refuse admission and service in licensed premises and to make recommendations for any necessary legislative changes." Mr O'Dea said he was concerned that the Travellers had not taken up the chance to make this submission. "I have told the Traveller groups that they have one more week otherwise the commission will go ahead and make recommendations without their input. I think it is foolish of them not to take this opportunity since the commission would listen to them for as long as is required," he said.

A spokesman for the Irish Traveller Movement confirmed that they had not made a submission to the CLL but said they were still considering the matter. "We are unhappy about the commission being given a role in this because we feel it is more properly something for the Equality Authority. We are also concerned at the composition of the commission because we believe its membership is too heavily weighed in favour of the trade," the traveller spokesman said.

An official at the commission said they will continue to work to produce a report and still hoped the Traveller groups would make a submission. "We are giving the matter some priority," she said.

The Equality Authority is already at loggerheads with the commission over the remit given it by former Justice Minister John O'Donoghue to review the general impact of equality legislation on publicans' obligations and their right to refuse service. Mr O'Dea said last night the CLL must continue with this review.

"This is a licensing issue and the relevant legislation dates from 1872 when Queen Victoria was at the height of her powers," Mr O'Dea said.