Truce between publicans and Travellers in row over service 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.
