Pub closures - Decline must be tackled

The Irish pub may be a growing phenomenon around the world, but they are clearly declining in this country.

They were closing at a rate of almost one a day from 2007 to 2009. A total of 833 did not renew their drinks licence during that period.

This is generating fears of a social and cultural void developing in rural areas, which have been hardest hit by the closures of public houses. Of course, these closures are also hitting the broader economy.