The Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) last night threatened a State-wide ban on serving Travellers in pubs if the Government did not address the "ongoing intimidation" of publicans by members of the Travelling community.
VFI chief executive Mr Tadg O'Sullivan said a national ban on serving Travellers was a last resort or "plan B" option but it was a distinct possibility.
Mr O'Sullivan was speaking following a meeting of the VFI in Portlaoise to discuss the proposed pub ban on Travellers in Westport, Co Mayo.
"If the Government does not move quickly to solve the situation of the ongoing intimidation of publicans, a nation-wide ban on serving Travellers is one option that will be considered."
The Westport branch of the VFI last week called for a ban on serving Travellers following a series of incidents involving members of the Travelling Community in Westport on the weekend of July 27th/28th.
Following last night's meeting, Mr O'Sullivan said the VFI, which represents 6,000 publicans outside the Dublin area, would be supporting their Westport colleagues in whatever action they proposed to take to protect their livelihoods. "If that means supporting a total ban on Travellers than that is what we will do," he said.
VFI members had the right to refuse service to any stranger whose presence in their bar caused staff or customers to feel fearful or intimidated. They would continue to claim this right, he said.
"They (VFI members) reserve the right to refuse any of those who are known to have caused violence or trouble, or those who are feared would cause violence or trouble or otherwise interfere with the peaceful and orderly business of the house," he added.
The national executive council of the VFI will be meeting again next week to discuss the issue further, Mr O'Sullivan said. "This situation has been going on for two years now, long before Westport. This cannot go on any longer."
