Number of pubs on the decline according to new report

Almost 2,000 pubs have closed since 2005 due to the cost of living and working in rural Ireland.

A new report from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland shows a continuing decline in the number of pubs across the country.

The sector is calling on the government to ease costs on small, rural businesses by reducing alcohol excise tax over the next two years.

Tony Foley, Associate Professor of Economics at DCU Business School, says there's no incentive for family-run pubs.