Publicans defend compensation demands

Publican's have today defended their position on monetary compensation for random breath tests stating that the Vintners Federation were in fact calling for support for publicans who are putting local transport initiatives in place in local villages and towns where communities are affected by stricter drinking driving laws.

"This proposal is not about direct monetary compensation for individual publicans across the board", read a statement from the Federation.

"The fact of life in rural Ireland today is that people feel totally isolated and forgotten. They have lost access to the most basic amenities such as shops, hospitals, neighbours and all that make up a rural society.

"They are no longer confident to drive to do their day to day business on the morning after having a couple of drinks.

"The VFI fully supports all measures to help stop carnage on our roads but communities who have been seriously disadvantaged by the new law cannot be overlooked and left with no alternative but to stay at home.

"The measures suggested by the president for discussion could include special hackney licences, insurance provisions or reduced VRT on people carriers for example. The alternative is to urgently make public transport available in rural Ireland. Rural Ireland cannot be abandoned."

The statement was published in response to suggestions in the media that the VFI were seeking compensation from the Government following the introduction of random breath-testing.