THE VINTNERS’ FEDERATION of Ireland has hit out at plans by Diageo to put up the price of a pint.

A pint of Guinness as well as Budweiser and Carlsberg is expected to rise by about five cent. Diageo has blamed the increase on rising barley and energy costs.

The VFI has said that it is shocked and disappointed at the news, and says that the “inconceivable” move will put thousands of jobs at risk.

The VFI also highlights Drinks Industry Group of Ireland figures that show that 54,000 jobs are supported by the pub trade in this country, but that the numbers are in decline.

This is a disaster for the hospitality industry and indeed for Irish consumers and tourists at a time when we are all trying to boost consumer confidence, to get people spending and to reinvigorate a trade already on its knees.

Publicans are doing everything within their powers to keep their businesses alive and their staff in jobs and value is essential to this survival.

DIGI figures released in September revealed that the volume of sales had decreased by 8.2 per cent in the first seven months of 2012.