The Vintners Federation of Ireland has condemned as "ludicrous" Competition Authority rules which prevent the organisation from giving advice to publicans on the changeover to the euro and its implications on pricing and margins.
The president of the VFI, Mr John Mansworth, said yesterday the ruling could result in "costly mistakes" and customer confusion. "The archaic rules of the Competition Authority, where they are insisting we cannot communicate with our members on this issue, will mean disaster for customers, publicans and the Government's plans," Mr Mansworth told publicans in Bundoran, Co Donegal, at the federation's annual general meeting.
He said it was a "scandalous situation" which could result in chaos in January 2002 when euro notes and coins are introduced. "It could seriously hamper an effective changeover period and, even more importantly, damage a lot of publicans' businesses," he added.
Mr Mansworth also attacked the authority over its report on the licensed trade and its raids on several VFI offices.
Publicans were also told that the air quality of their pubs needed to be improved. Market research by the VFI has found that customers, both non-smokers and smokers alike, are concerned about air quality in pubs.
