MANY restaurants around the country are going "dry" because a dispute by environmental health officers over pay has left the restaurants unable to obtain licences to serve alcohol.
As many as 40 restaurants, hotels and guesthouses are caught in a legal loophole, a Bord Failte spokeswoman said yesterday, and the number was likely to grow.
The health officers, who are employed by health boards inspect premises and issue confirmation that they comply with hygiene rules. Bord Failte then supplies the certification that applicants seeking a licence must bring to the Circuit Court.
Because of a work to rule the Certificates of Registration under the Food Hygiene Regulations (1950-1971) are not being issued, and restaurateurs are telling tourists they cannot be served alcohol with meals because they cannot get a licence.
Lost revenue during the peak tourism season is feared, as licence applicants must give a month's notice. Circuit Court sittings end in July and do not resume until October.