PUBLICANS could be forced to throw open their doors to everyone, including drug pushers and thieves, if the Equal Status Legislation Bill becomes law, it was claimed yesterday.
Under the proposed legislation publicans could be obliged to serve all comers irrespective of their behaviour, according to the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI).
The federation published a booklet entitled Case Against the Proposed Equal Status Legislation at its annual meeting in Kilkenny yesterday. It will be circulated among politicians and members of the public to help reinforce the VFI's case, and to encourage the Minister of Equality and Law Reform, Mr Taylor, to legally sustain the publicans' right to refuse service without giving a reason.
The VFI, which represents 6,000 members, is concerned about the response from the Minister, who has said the Bill will not oblige a publican to give a reason for refusal of service at the time.
Mr Paul O'Grady, the newly elected VFI president, said. "This could be viewed as a positive response to our concerns. But unfortunately a publican will still be forced to give a reason at a later stage in court.
"Therefore, the Minister's attempt to reassure the trade is meaningless . . . A recent survey undertaken on behalf of the VFI revealed that 90 per cent of customers believe that publicans should be allowed refuse someone who they think is likely to cause trouble."
Delegates were told that provisions written into the 1988 licensing legislation, which would have helped to curb under age drinking, had never been implemented by Government.
The vintners also accused IMRO, the music royalties organisation, of absurd and heavy handed tactics".