Drinks firms get 'free advertising' from awnings given to pubs and restaurants

The Oireachtas Committee was meeting as the Government is proposing the continued waiver of the €125 fee that pubs and restaurants must pay for outdoor tables and chairs. File photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Drinks companies are getting “free alcohol advertisements” by providing partitions and awnings with their logos on them for pubs and restaurants offering outdoor dining, an Oireachtas Committee has heard.

Sinn Féin’s housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin said such alcohol advertising at businesses that serve outdoors was contrary to the spirit of Government policy and legislation in this area, referring to legislation aimed at curbing such advertising in other forms.