The Christmas campaign to keep drunk drivers off our roads has been effectively ignored by the hospitality industry with only a fraction taking up a 'Designated Drivers' initiative.
Sponsored by Coca-Cola, the campaign encourages drivers to become the responsible driver for the night by offering two free soft drinks.
But only 250 venues out of 10,582 pubs, hotels and restaurants have signed up.
Speaking about his disappointment at the news, Eunan McKinney of Alcohol Action Ireland said: "We are curious why there may be such a low take-up by vintners across the country for this designated driver campaign.
"Perhaps this is a very busy time for publicans but one would have hoped that they would have been encouraged by the scheme's partners, the VFI and the LVA, to eagerly participate."
He added: "The very idea of less alcohol being sold at this time may simply be a step too far for many publicans, who see Christmas as 'the gift that keeps on giving' and not an opportunity, or responsibility, to remind drinkers alcohol harms."
But, Donall O'Keeffe, chief executive of the Licensed Vintners Association of Ireland said: "We wholeheartedly support the campaign and we would be encouraging our members to sign up to it this Christmas."
Mr O'Keeffe said it was "hard to say" why the take-up is so low but he added: "We represent the Dublin trade so thankfully there are a lot of options for customers who are looking for alternative ways to get home."
Source: Niamh Horan, Irish Independent, 17th December 2018