Plugging Pub Prices A Political Priority Ireland’s Commerce Minister Orders Increases Rolled Back

When the price of beer goes up, the Irish government cracks down.

Though pub owners deny they coordinated price hikes, reported increases on lager, ale and stout since Christmas have gotten a flurry of official activity brewing.

Commerce Minister Pat Rabbitte told the Licensed Vintners Association, which represents about 700 pubs in the Irish capital, to claw back price hikes. If not, he warned, he will make an order freezing prices at the November level.

Rabbitte didn’t set a deadline, and publicans - as pub keepers are known here - didn’t immediately roll back prices.

The shock tactics were the talk of the town.

“Did you get over the rapidity? It’s an interesting indication of the priorities of life in this country,” Gay Byrne, Ireland’s biggest talk-show host, told his radio listeners Friday.

While it may be an election year, Rabbitte denies any political motive in telling the pub owners to cut prices. But he doesn’t doubt that it’s a popular move.

“My local,” he said, using the term of a favored pub, “would be Doheny and Nesbitts on Merrion Row. I fully expect when I’m there Saturday night to be garlanded with flowers.”

Seamus Costello, a tax collector enjoying a post-work Guinness in O’Donoghue’s, said the difference of a few pence matters little.

“The atmosphere’s so good in a Dublin pub you wouldn’t bother to check your change,” he said.

Usually he goes drinking three nights a week and on Sundays after golf at his club. Last week?

“Well I’d five pints after golf Saturday. Then six or seven after the same Sunday. Megad, had quite a session with friends on Friday - must have had 10, 11 or 12, but I’m not too sure now. So, I suppose it all adds up.”