In light of the decision of pubs in several rural Irish towns to remain closed on Good Friday despite the ban on opening being abolished, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has warned publicans that they cannot band together to decide to close and, under competition rules, must act independently when making commercial decisions.
Both the Licensed Vintners Association and Vintners Federation of Ireland have been asked by the CCPC to remind members of their obligations under competition law.
A spokesperson for the CCPC said, "The opening hours of a pub are a matter for each publican to decide. Publicans should decide individually, and not collectively, the terms and conditions under which they are willing to provide goods or services to customers.
"The CCPC reminds all publicans that under competition law they are obliged to make commercial decisions, including their opening hours for business, independently."
