Pubs are hoping to cash in on big screen games

Members are due to be balloted on industrial action which could coincide with the World Cup period.

On Monday, Mandate, which represents 3,000 Dublin bar staff, held its bi-annual conference in Tralee.

An emergency motion calling on the LVA to reinstate recognition was expected to gain a large degree of support.

Mandate spokesman, Gerard Nash, said: "Nobody wants to go out and take industrial action.

"It affects our members as well as everybody else, but they might not have any other option.

"The members did it in 1994 and have no problem doing it again. There is a lot of anger out there and members say they are being treated with contempt.

"They have a right to join a trade union and then to be represented by that union."

Claims disputed

He said the most strongly represented bars in Dublin were also the biggest and most popular in the busiest parts of the city.

Although most matches are being played in the early morning, publicans are hoping to cash in on fans watching replays, celebrating wins, or commiserating lost matches.

Meanwhile, Mandate is seeking urgent talks with the LVA, demanding it reinstates recognition.

But the LVA has disputed claims that it has "de-recognised" Mandate.

No official spokesman was available from the LVA.