Dublin City Council raises only €830 in 'anti-business' sandwich board fees in four months
Dublin City Council has earned just €830 in licence fees from sandwich board ads since new regulations came into force last September.
Out of nine applications, only one permit has been granted, allowing businesses to place advertising signs on the street outside.
550 officials warnings have been sent out while 149 boards have been seized.
CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Adrian Cummins, said it is draconian and anti-business.
Mr Cummins said: "During the recession, we we re being encouraged to advertise special offers to tourists, making the city enticing for tourism, but nine years on here is Dublin City Council.
We've had the anti-business approach by Dublin City Council as usual with no consultation.
He added that some companies have reported a drop in the number of customers since the new rules were introduced.
Mr Cummins said: "They've hired in inspectors and auditors to look at this by Dublin city council, the taxpayers is paying for this.
"So if there is only a small take-up, are they going to make those people redundant? Are we going to foot the bill again by the taxpayers, by the commercial rate-payers again in the city for a regime that doesn't seem to be working?"
