Ban on alcohol sponsorship a ‘risk to festivals’

A ban on alcohol sponsorship of major events would imperil several high-profile film and music festivals that generate significant economic returns, Arts Minister Jimmy Deenihan has warned.

He believes alternative sponsorship would be difficult to find and the State could be left having to fund the festivals or risk losing the economic returns associated with them.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Mr Deenihan said he had asked Health Minister James Reilly to “exercise caution” in considering an expert group’s recommendation to phase out such sponsorship.