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I can also see a situation where the likes of Diagio and C&C will be involved in writing the definition of the quota in order to be the 30% Irish that each pub would need to stock. There's a reason the big boys like to spaff money on lobbyists...

Would it be more useful to lobby the government to provide an incentive to publicans to stock independent local beer?
I don't mean the tax incentive the breweries get, I can't see that happening. Perhaps a % reduction in rates based on the percentage of local beer stocked
The usual answer I get from publicans when I ask why they don't stock craft is either "there's no call for it" or "That's mad stuff that would blow the head off you"
So brand loyalty (big thing in this country) or ignorance (ditto) but I think if the offer is there another Irish trait is curiosity <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

Rates are governed locally, though, aren't they?

The idea of a rebate is an interesting one. How would it work? Would it be based on just having a tap or taps. Or would the business need to show that they had actively been selling the beer. How could people go about getting the rebate revoked for a premises if they turned out to not have Irish craft on tap? There would probably need to be some blacklisting- if a pub does take the Macro's shilling to remove craft taps then that should render them exempt from ever applying for the rebate in the future.

I still think we should resurrect the "Support Your Local That Supports Your Local" campaign.

I'm sure there is some mechanism to allow central government to reimburse councils for the rate rebate.
Someone in a government department may have a better idea if we could get someone to sponsor it at Oireachtas level.
The Beoir window stickers were a good idea but difficult to police in rural areas where you may not visit the pubs that often.
Could we "license" our logo (or develop a marque) to pubs that meet the recommended criteria or we set a criteria (Spoons already do something similar?) to use on their promo material?

Something for discussion at the AGM perhaps?
I only this morning persuaded the wife to rise early on Saturday to drive me to the train so I will be attending. I'll indicate this in the appropriate thread

Should we now split this into a members area?