Vintners seeks Government action to boost pub trade

The Vintners Federation of Ireland is today calling for Government measures to offset a decline in the pub trade.

The organisation says 4,800 pub workers have been laid off in the past year.

It says 80% of pubs experienced a fall in profits of at least 10% this summer and half have had to let staff go.

The VFI, which is holding a meeting in Dublin today to discuss the situation, is calling on the Government to cut VAT rates to 15% in order to help publicans survive.

It also wants the Government to reduce local authority charges and appoint an ombudsman to help pubs get credit from banks.