IT SEEMS the credit crunch has left public relations firms here with little appetite to celebrate the festive season at the industry's annual Christmas blow-out lunch.

In a recent note to members, PRII chief executive Gerry Davis warned firms that this year's €1,020-a-table feast at Fire restaurant on December 5th will have to be pulled unless the pace of bookings picks up sharply.

Bookings to date have been slow, "to put it mildly", Davis said, without a hint of spin.

"It would be a great pity if this traditional event had to be cancelled due to insufficient numbers attending.

"However, this is now a very real prospect if bookings do not increase dramatically and soon."

Oh for the heady days of the Celtic Tiger when the PRII could barely find a venue big enough to handle the giddy throng.

Maybe the PRs just don't have the stomach for comedian Alan Shortt and his Bull Island characters.