"There are enough pubs in the city," said Mr Noel Kelly, the manager of the Black Forge Inn in Dublin. "As far as opening up new bars at this stage, we will kill ourselves off with the competition."
His views were typical of several publicans who commented on the Competition Authority's report yesterday. However, there was also a recognition in the trade that change may be inevitable and that some suburban areas in Dublin and other cities could accommodate more pubs.
The basic tenet of the report, suggesting that the current licensing regime serves to distort competition, was rejected by many publicans.
Mr Tom O'Brien, owner of The Ferryman at Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin, said he had invested £1.7 million in a premises with an existing licence. "If someone came in next door to me and bought a premises at a fraction of the cost, that is unfair competition."
He said if the authority's recommendations were implemented, premises would be devalued and within a few years there would be serious casualties. "My main feeling is that I don't believe it's a runner. It would be unfair to those who have invested heavily and would be counterproductive in an industry where standards have gone from being good to excellent in recent years."
Some publicans felt that the introduction of new licences in certain areas would be acceptable. Mr Paul Corcoran, manager of Toners in Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, said it would make sense in the suburbs. "If you came to Baggot Street, though, you would see that we don't need any more pubs."
Outside Dublin, publicans such as Mr Pat Conway, owner of the Lobby Bar on Union Quay, Cork, were anxious that some kind of compensation scheme be introduced for existing licensees if the recommendation becomes law.
"But I don't agree that the current licensing system is anti-competition. The administration of it may be, though," he said.
In Limerick Mr Colin Murphy, manager of The White House in O'Connell Street, said there was already enough competition. "It's a lovely idea," he said of the proposals which would result in more pubs, "but they won't fill them all."
At The Huntsman in Galway the owner, Mr Stephen Francis, said there was an argument to be made for the selective introduction of new licences. "There are parts of Galway where there are no pubs," he said. He would not be in favour of a carte blanche approach but if it was done fairly he would approve.
Some publicans were adopting a philosophical approach to the possibility of more licences. One pub-owner in the Ringsend area of Dublin who did not want to be named said such a development was inevitable. "It's like the taxis. It is going to come some time. No one wants a pub opened next door to them, but it is going to happen, and I won't be losing any sleep over it."