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It appears plans to ban takeout pints will be shelved after a rural revolt by TD and vintners.
The health minister received suggestions to cut sales of takeout products at a cabinet meeting today after shocking scenes of street drinking over the weekend.
But fears arose that the measure would unfairly target those who comply with Tier 5 rules, especially in rural areas.
Several supporting DTs expressed their anger at the ministers for the plan.
Now sources say Stephen Donnelly will try to target venues where revelers are staying outside instead of taking drinks.
(Image: PAUL FAITH / AFP via Getty Images)
The prohibition of the sale of alcohol to take away in pubs “would be one more tightening” for the industry, the Federation of Vintners of Ireland warned last night. Spokesperson Brian Foley added: “The right of pubs to sell products without a license is part of the primary legislation.
“It would be a big step to try to ban pubs from selling unlicensed products.
“Will they ban all unlicensed sales? What is the difference between a pub that sells products without a license and a pub that sells products without a license?
“How do the two differ?”
Speaking to Neil Prendeville on Cork’s Redfm yesterday, Mr. Martin said: “The widespread congregation of people on our streets facilitates the spread of the virus, we will have to review, in particular, the whole phenomenon of takeaway pints check that and see what can we do. Let’s look at that very seriously.
“It will happen in the next two days, I will seek reports from the gardai and consult with the Minister of Justice today.
“If we drop the numbers, we’ll be working out a Level 5 exit plan. I’ve always said I want to go back to Level 3 on December 1st.
“We are looking at what works, what doesn’t, where are the optimal locations for the virus to spread, and of course we are consulting with NPHET.”
But a Dublin innkeeper has claimed that if pubs were allowed to reopen, people would be able to socialize in a safe and controlled environment. “
Alan Campbell of the Bankers Bar on Trinity Street told RTE that the Gardai have “an impossible task” and that they could easily enforce the numbers if people were sitting in pubs.
Other NPHET and government sources have also raised concerns about house parties during the holiday season, particularly large gatherings in homes for New Years Eve celebrations.
Dr. Mary Favier, who is a primary care physician and participates in NPHET, has said that support for restraints is “wearing off the edges” and there is “complacency and fatigue.”
In response to the scenes on Dublin’s South William Street, he added that a “cautious approach” to pubs and alcohol is needed for the festive season.
Dr. Favier called for a “clear communication” from the Government that is “consistent and fact-based and that they really bring the population with us and we find a way to work in this period.”
She added: “People are really taking their eyes off the ball and it’s really worrying because so many people
they are doing a good job but it is
demoralize our health workers and demoralize the population that is trying to do their best ”.
Ireland’s deputy chief medical officer, Dr. Ronan Glynn, described the people photographed over the weekend gathered in large crowds to drink alcoholic beverages to go as a “selfish minority.”
He added: “Thousands and thousands of people see it on social media.
(Image: Collins Photo Agency)
“Thousands and thousands of people who are trying to do the right thing see it and become demoralized and find it much more difficult to justify why they follow public health councils when they see the actions of a selfish minority, frankly, that are putting their health at risk. everyone’s efforts. “
Meanwhile, some government TDs now say Mr. Martin can’t wait until the last minute to give businesses and families an update on how they will be spending Christmas.
Fianna Fail TD Marc MacSharry said: “The strategy of the State has been based solely on hope, the hope of the arrival of a vaccine.
“This has failed in many businesses where we have wasted valuable time rather than used it as opportunities to develop a strategic approach that enables retail and hospitality to function while keeping people safe. Personal responsibility is key to beating Covid-19 and sadly, we have missed the message around that. “
Meanwhile, NPHET bosses warned against hopes for vaccines leading to complacency as five more people died from Covid-19. Another 456 also tested positive for coronavirus, the latest figures confirmed.
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