Kerry publicans have criticised the national leadership of their organisation, saying that they may consider leaving the federation.
Fifty publicans attended an emergency meeting of the Kerry branch of the Vintners' Federation of Ireland in Tralee on Monday night.
They say there's an overriding level of frustration that they were not allowed re-open premises on July 20th as originally planned.
The chair of the Kerry branch of the VFI, Christy Walsh says members in the county, mostly rural publicans in family-run premises, are frustrated with the organisation's head office and its lack of progress and leadership.
Mr Walsh says they want the VFI nationally to address four concerns immediately - first, that branches organise marches on Dáil Eireann to highlight, what he says, is the total unfairness of pub closures under COVID-19 restrictions.
Second, Kerry vintners want a media campaign arguing that the R - reproductive rate of COVID-19 can be reduced by allowing the opening of pubs which they say are controlled environments.
Third, they want 25 million euro in aid from alcohol beverage giants, Diageo and Heineken.
Finally, they want the VFI to engage with top medical professionals to help highlight the importance of opening pubs for the health and well-being of members, customers and families before the planned reopening on August 10th.
Kerry vintners believe that holding parties in unlicensed and unregulated environments are doing untold damage to the country and to their sector and they're calling on state bodies to increase inspections to deter such gatherings.
