Who speaks for the trade.

Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI)

Pubs outside Dublin · Pat Crotty, chief executive · VFI House, Rathfarnham, Dublin

Represents the trade to Government, councils, suppliers and agencies; advises members in difficulty; runs the bar management apprenticeship, a supplier directory, the VFI Pubs Forum and, with the LVA, the Irish Pub Awards.

This season Won a €15 million rural pub fund in Budget 2027 (6 Oct), brought publicans to Dublin to protest on 30 Sep, published a poll on 16 Sep showing public support for rural pub measures, and named Procure.ie energy partner on 12 Oct and EZO EV-charging partner in August.

Licensed Vintners Association (LVA)

Dublin pubs · Donall O'Keeffe, chief executive; John Byrne (The Burnaby), chair 2026/27 · Dublin

Dublin's publicans' body since 1817: lobbying, employment and licensing advice, research on the Dublin night-time economy, member events, and the Irish Pub Awards with the VFI.

This season Said Budget 27 'serves up nothing' for urban pubs; asked for an excise cut with DIGI; reports late openings down 950 nights in 2025 and wants SEO costs cut; published surveys showing 3 in 4 Dubliners want later opening and 6 in 10 are put off by taxi availability.

Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI)

Restaurants, cafés, gastropubs · Adrian Cummins, chief executive · Dublin

Lobbying (it led the campaign that restored 9% VAT on food from 1 July 2026), the Irish Restaurant Awards, member supports on employment, licensing and suppliers.

This season Counted 612 food-led closures in the year after VAT rose to 13.5%; ran the 2026 Irish Restaurant Awards (Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud All-Ireland winner, The Cobblestone pub of the year).

Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI)

Producers, distributors, publicans, off-licences · Donall O'Keeffe, secretary · Dublin

The umbrella body for the drinks industry. Commissions the annual pub-numbers report by economist Anthony Foley (DCU) and campaigns on excise.

This season Its September 2026 report found 2,205 pubs closed 2005–2025 (−25.6%); asked Budget 27 for an excise cut and did not get one.

Drinks Ireland and the Irish Whiskey Association (Ibec)

Drinks producers · Eoin Ó Catháin, director, Irish Whiskey Association · Dublin

Ibec's drinks sector group, with associations for whiskey, beer, cider, spirits and wine. Trade policy, export promotion, labelling and GI protection.

This season Irish whiskey exports passed €1 billion in 2024 across 113 markets; the Irish Whiskey Awards move to Belfast this year.

Give Us The Night

Night-time economy campaign · Sunil Sharpe, spokesperson · Dublin

A volunteer campaign of DJs, promoters and venue operators for licensing reform: later hours, annual permits instead of nightly SEOs, repeal of the Public Dance Halls Act 1935.

This season Its 2025 report counted 83 nightclubs from 522 in 2000 and 30,651 SEOs in 2025 against 93,247 in 2005; wants licensing moved out of the Department of Justice.

Irish Hotels Federation (IHF)

Hotels and guesthouses · Dublin

Represents hotels and guesthouses on tourism policy, employment and costs; publishes the Quality Employer Programme and sector surveys.

Fáilte Ireland

National tourism development authority · Dublin

State agency: tourism business supports, the Tourism Barometer, training and the pub and food-tourism programmes. A sponsor of the Irish Pub Awards.

Bord Bia

Irish food and drink board · Maureen Gahan, foodservice specialist · Dublin

State agency for food and drink marketing. Its annual foodservice report is the market-size reference for the trade.

This season Valued the out-of-home market at a record €10.4 billion for 2025, with menu prices 26% above 2020 and footfall flat.

Health and Safety Authority (HSA)

Regulator · Dublin

Workplace safety regulator. Publishes the keg cellar safety guidance every pub should have on the cellar door, and inspects.

Workplace Relations Commission (WRC)

Regulator · Carlow and Dublin

Enforces employment law including the Tips and Gratuities Act 2022, working time and minimum wage; hears complaints.

Euro-Toques Ireland

Chefs · Ireland

The chefs' association for Irish produce and craft; runs the Euro-Toques Food Awards and young chef programme.