The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has proposed that an existing rural transport scheme could be extended in the evenings to help isolated people to socialise.
The proposal comes amid concerns about the negative impact of drink driving laws and random breath testing on social life and pubs in rural areas.
The Vintners Federation of Ireland has welcomed the move.
Éamon Ó Cuív said the Department Transport was already in the process of making the rural transport initiative - which provides daytime minibus transport - a permanent nationwide scheme.
He said it could be extended further in the evenings for a modest sum of money.
He denied the plan was designed to encourage drinking.
Mr Ó Cuív told TG4 last night that while the decision rests with the Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, the Government would introduce provisions before the General Election.
Many publicans in rural areas have indicated that their livelihoods are under threat because of inadequate alternative transport provisions for customers in the wake of the introduction of random breath-testing.
Mr Ó Cuív told TG4 last night that the Government has been studying the issue of transport to and from rural pubs in this context.
The Chairman of the Road Safety Authority has said he has complete sympathy with the plight of rural drinkers in very remote areas, but that people need to come to terms with stricter drink-driving laws.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio, Gay Byrne said people needed to amend their ways of life.
