PUB CLOSURES are having a detrimental effect on the quality of life in rural communities, Mayo Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony said yesterday.
He said that figures released to him by the Department of Finance revealed that licences for a total of 833 pubs had not been renewed between 2007 and last year.
“There is no doubt that the vast majority of pubs not renewing their licences are simply shutting down,” he said. “While licences are being sold in some cases, they have a considerably diminished value because of the recession and are not much sought after.”
Mr O’Mahony said while the recession was contributing to a decline in the pub trade, an inadequate rural transport service was also a factor.
“I believe that buses run by rural pubs should be exempted from VRT to encourage the provision of transport,” he added.
Mr O’Mahony said he was not advocating increased drinking, but it was a fact that rural pubs offered opportunities for social contact.
“Rural isolation is a major issue and the impact of pub closures on community spirit, especially on those who live alone or in relative isolation, should not be underestimated,” he added.
Cork topped the list, with 109 licences not renewed, followed by 70 in Dublin. Carlow was the lowest with nine.
Figures for licences not renewed in other counties were: Galway and Kerry, 55 each; Mayo, 54; Limerick, 52; Donegal, 49; Clare and Tipperary, 42 each; Louth, 29; Roscommon, 28; Westmeath, 23; Waterford and Laois, 22 each; Cavan, 21; Wexford, 20; Sligo, 18; Wicklow and Kildare 17 each; Kilkenny, 16; Offaly, 15; Leitrim, 14; Meath, 13, Monaghan, 11 and Longford, 10.
Welcoming Mr O’Mahony’s comments, the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland president Val Hanley said pub closures were having a devastating effect on rural Ireland.
“Local economies in many rural areas are suffering with the rise in redundancies, the fall-off in construction, the closure of factories and increasing emigration,” he added. “It is extremely important that local businesses such as pubs and hotels, as well as the farming community, are supported, and better services put in place to attract investment, create jobs and encourage people to live and spend locally.”
