Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Mr Willie O'Dea, has voiced concern at reports that some Mayo publicans are imposing a ban on Travellers.
Mr O’Dea warned the move was in breach of the equality legislation and would leave publicans open to the "appropriate sanction".
Yesterday the head of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, Mr Tadg O'Sullivan, said he fully supported the ban and predicted it would spread to other parts of the country.
He reportedly said he would to go to jail to support members who break the law by imposing such a ban.
He labelled the Equal Status Act as "state-sponsored terrorism" which gave protection to Travellers while other people barred for similar rowdy or threatening behaviour have no comeback.
The Irish Traveller Movement argues the real agenda of publicans is to get the Government to dilute the Equal Status Act.
Mr O’Dea said he was in contact with the Vintners Federation and the Irish Traveller Movement "with an offer to meet each of them to discuss the on-going difficulties."
However he called on the Vintners Federation not to take any action which would result in a deliberate breach of the Equal Status Act 2000.
He said: "We cannot allow a situation to develop in this country where anybody who dislikes a law can unilaterally refuse to obey it. That is the road to anarchy and it is not acceptable."
