Landlords threaten VAT protest over ban

Publicans are threatening to withhold VAT payments to the Government in protest at Ireland’s forthcoming ban on smoking in the workplace.

The measure was among a number of proposals put forward at a crucial meeting of members of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI).

Around 1,200 publicans gathered in Portlaoise to step up their campaign against the ban, which was officially signed into law by health minister Micheál Martin last week.

Under the new rules smoking will be banned in all workplaces – including pubs, restaurants and hotels – from January 26.

VFI chief executive Tadg O’Sullivan said his members were adamant that the ban would be blocked at every move.

He said: “This legislation is ridiculous and will be seen to be.”

Representatives from across Ireland attended today’s special general meeting and proposed a number of actions which will be put forward to the group’s national executive council.

Proposals included:

:: Exploring the legality of the blanket ban and appealing to the Supreme Court and the European Court of Justice.

:: Withholding VAT payments to the government.

:: Setting up a legal fund to support VFI members who are fined when customers are found smoking on their premises.

:: Putting members of the VFI forward as candidates in the 2004 local elections.

Although gardaí will not be responsible for enforcing the ban, members also proposed contacting gardaí every time customers were found smoking on their premises.

Under the minister’s plans health officials will be employed to ensure people are not lighting up in workplaces.

Mr O’Sullivan said the general consensus of the meeting was that the smoking ban was unenforceable and unworkable.

He said the large turnout illustrated the anger and frustration of rural publicans.

“We have said time and time again this ban is unnecessary, unworkable and unjustified.

“Our members are not prepared to put their lives, their wives and daughters and female staff at risk. They are publicans, not smoke police.”

Bar and restaurant owners have campaigned vigorously against the new law, claiming it will lead to a sharp fall in custom.

Mr O’Sullivan also criticised Mr Martin’s suggestion that publicans should consult him on the details of the law.

“He has some neck to suggest that we should go around the table now,” he said.

“We have been asking him to get around the table for the past 12 months.

“When we met him 14 months ago he promised that he would consult with us before he introduced this. He hasn’t done so.

“So we would be saying to him very bluntly, minister, this is not something you can impose. If you want this thing to work you have to do in consultation and collaboration with the industry, not by enforcement.

“And you won’t be able to enforce it because our members wouldn’t put themselves and their businesses at risk.”