This week on Down to Business, Bobby Kerr chaired a lively debate about the future of the Irish pub as Wetherspoons expands its presence in the Irish market.

Oliver Hughes, co-founder and CEO of The Porterhouse Brewing Company and who is also the chair of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, Padraig Cribben who is chair of the Licensed Vintners Association, and Eddie Gershon who is a spokesperson for Wetherspoons all joined the conversation.

Post-crash

Padraig Cribben began by reflecting on the challenges that Irish pubs faced during the worst years of the recession as emigration spiked and disposable income dwindled - he describes the circumstances as a "perfect storm."

"Lifestyles have changed, and pubs and publicans have changed as well," he says, highlighting a shift in focus towards events and quality food.

Wetherspoons has been grabbing headlines since entering the Irish market, selling drinks for half the price of the average Irish pub in many cases.

Mr Gershon, Wetherspoon's representative explains that their goal is to replicate the formula which has been so successful for them in the UK while co-existing with more traditional Irish establishments:

"We are bringing what we think are 'our style' of pubs to a country which has an established pub culture. What we are not doing is opening 'Irish pubs' - that would be ridiculous."

Disruption 

He continues: "It's a 'game-changer' in as much as there's more competition - our prices are certainly lower than other pubs - but that's not in itself a way of attracting people. We want to give people more choice.

"Good pubs are good pubs - full stop. We are adding to the mix that is out there."

The Porterhouse's Oliver Hughes welcomes the British company's presence, "I think Wetherspoons have a great value offering." and continues, "I think we are a little bit obsessed with prices in Ireland."

Padraig Cribben says that the threat of Wetherspoons to the traditional Irish pub has been overstated. He adds, "I can find a pub for you in any town in Ireland where you'll get four pints for a tenner or there-abouts. Not every pub, but in most towns you'll find one that is operating at that level of the trade."

Danger from 'within'

Both of the Irish bar association representatives are far more worried about Government policies than a British invasion damaging pub trade.

Oliver Hughes says that publicans need to be optimistic - but rising costs to run pubs in Ireland can demoralising: "It's easier to run a bar in London, it's easier to run a bar in New York - and it's cheaper to run a bar in London and it's cheaper to run a bar in New York."

He adds that rate hikes and below-cost selling in supermarkets are doing the real damage to the industry. He says that he believes that this is a public health issue, as cheap supermarket prices are encouraging excessive consumption:

"I think we have to differentiate between 'good and bad alcohol.' Sitting there, having a nice pint in a convivial atmosphere is totally different to getting a below-cost litre of vodka and knocking it back at home."

Mr Cribben adds, "The future of the Irish pub is not Wetherspoons. The future of the Irish pub is about the thousands of family businesses that are run around the country."

"The biggest challenge that is there for the Irish pub is from within. It's from the regulatory authorities. It's from the 20-odd quangos - the arms of the state that the pub will have to deal with."

Do you think the increased presence of Wetherspoons here in Ireland have a role to play in the future of the Irish pub? Would you prefer to keep going to the traditional Irish pub or go to Wetherspoons for the prices? Vote in our poll below.

If you can't see the poll, refresh the page.You can also find Bobby's blog posts and weekly DTB highlights on our show page and the Newstalk app.