Publicans salute FF after café bar climbdown

PUBLICANS raised their glasses to Fianna Fáil last night after Justice Minister Michael McDowell abandoned plans to introduce continental-style café bars which could have threatened their businesses.

Mr McDowell wanted to introduce the café bars to combat the country’s alcohol problem, the hope being that the food available on such premises would inhibit binge-drinking.

However, following talks with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern last week, he has abandoned the proposal.