Pub condemned for benefits booze deal

A Dublin pub has sparked controversy over a promotion that allows people in receipt of state payments to take advantage of cut price drinks.

The advert has been branded “irresponsible” by Fine Gael senator Catherine Noone.

Dubbed “welfare Wednesday”, the Liz Delaney’s Pub in Coolock, north Dublin, is offering pints, whiskey and vodka shots for €3 to those who are able to present a either a social welfare card or bus pass.

Fine Gael senator Catherine Noone condemned the advert, which uses the Department of Social Protection logo of a dove in hand, as “irresponsible”.

Speaking to the Irish Times, Noone said: “While I’m not against social welfare recipients receiving discounts, I am against the promotion of irresponsible drinking and irresponsible prices. It seems to me that Welfare Wednesday is an invitation for people to spend their Social Welfare on alcohol when they receive it. I would be deeply concerned at people being encouraged to spend irresponsibly on the day they receive their welfare and I would call on this venue to reconsider the promotion immediately.”

Councillor Paddy Bourke told the Irish Independent that encouraging people to use this money to drink “isn’t right”.

“It’s out of question that this should be allowed. My view is that this is totally irresponsible”, he said.

The pub has so far not commented on the controversy, however the Department of Social Protection has confirmed that it has requested its logo be removed from the promotion.