Drinks companies urged to support rural transport plan

MAJOR drinks companies should start subsidising transport projects in rural areas to help drinkers get to and from their local pubs.

That is what Fianna Fáil councillor and general election candidate Tom Fleming urged at the weekend.

Mr Fleming, who is also a publican, said it was time the drinks industry gave something back to customers who had supported them for years.

“Beamish and Crawford, Heineken Murphy, Irish Distillers and Diageo, which incorporates Guinness, should organise a subsidy system for rural transport projects and encourage more start-up bus services in rural communities,” he said.

Getting to the local pub is a major issue for many people living in rural areas, especially when taxis or bus services are not available, he pointed out.

“As a publican, I know that for many people the evening trip to the local pub is a staple part of their day, where they can have a pint and chat to friends,” said Mr Fleming, whose family has run a licensed premises in Scartaglin, Co Kerry, for generations.

“But tighter drink-driving laws mean many of them are forced to stay at home.”

He said he has been in touch with the Kerry branch of the Vintners’ Federation urging them to contact the drinks companies and negotiate an action plan for subsidised transport services in rural areas.

Next year, the Government will put €9 million into the Rural Transport Initiative, which helps thousands of people to get from rural, isolated areas nationwide to local towns by bus.

But, Mr Fleming said, there would still be room for major drinks companies to get involved in widening the scope and frequency of rural transport services.