Figures from the drinks industry show that pub sales dropped by more than 14% in the first seven months of this year, compared with the same period last year.
The Drinks Industry Group of Ireland said the drop came despite an increase in drink sales. DIGI said the Government's excise duty reduction in the Budget had curbed cross-border alcohol shopping.
Overall, drink sales rose by 6.4% in the first six months of the year. But DIGI chairman Kieran Tobin said the sales increases were confined to the off-trade.
DIGI secretary and CEO of the Licensed Vintners Association Donall O'Keeffe said the pub sector was in a 'crisis situation', and there was no sign of market conditions improving.
The drinks body says it wants to work with the Government to identify further measures to help the industry in the Budget, in order to prevent closures and save jobs.
