The Vintners Federation of Ireland says the Government must address costs that are threatening small businesses in the hospitality sector.
The VFI was responding to the publication of a Government report, which states that smaller hospitality firms could see their wage costs increase by 14.5% in 2024 and 36.7% by 2026.
Pub owners could have to pay staff a living wage, increase their sick leave and pension auto enrolment costs.
Speaking to RedFM News, Cork VFI Chair Michael O'Donovan says these increases will lead to closures:
"What we're calling on the Government is just to slowdown, the policies, and the implementation of these policies because it will cause pubs and especially to close during the week, we may see some pubs close permanently. And that's not what we want to offer the tourists. A real you know experience when they come here to see the Irish pub and with these policies we're afraid that the Irish pub will start disappearing."
