80% of pubs lay off staff as vintners vent fury

More than four out of five publicans outside Dublin have had to either let staff go or reduce their hours in the first three months of this year, a study shows.

An even greater proportion of them — 86% — are unhappy with the Government’s response to support for business as more pubs outside the capital are being forced to close their doors.

The annual conference of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI), which begins today, is expected to hear of large-scale dissatisfaction with the Government over lack of support for business. It will also hear warnings of the effect of any widespread ban on alcohol sponsorship of sports events.