Winegrowers accuse government of using ‘misleading’ data to keep wet bars closed

The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) and the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) have accused the Government of using misleading information and data to keep parts of the hotel industry closed.

As of Friday, pubs that serve food will be able to reopen, while pubs that do not will have to remain closed for the rest of the year.

In a statement, the two groups claimed to have identified 14 “flaws, misleading uses of data and incomplete consideration” published by the government.

The groups claim that a government report detailing the reasoning behind the decision to keep wet bars closed did not show any evidence to suggest they pose a higher risk of transmission than businesses that serve food.

They also say that the government has specifically highlighted wet bars as an area of ​​concern, while the data was also relevant to the reopening of universities and sporting events.

“It is absolutely astounding that the government is using a flimsy and misleading document to keep wet bars closed,” VFI CEO Padraig Cribben said, adding: “Their alleged evidence is riddled with misleading uses of information and huge loopholes. in your analysis. “

The two associations demand that wet bars be allowed to reopen on December 4.

This comes as independent TD Michael McGrath said the ‘uneven playing field’ between gastropubs and wet pubs needs to be addressed.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the decision to keep wet pubs closed was made because allowing them to reopen would lead to more cases much faster than if they remained closed.

The Taoiseach again defended that position today in the Dáil saying that “I would like nothing more now than a pint in some rural pub” but said that keeping them closed was the best way to keep the transmission of the virus down.

McGrath told the Oireachtas Tourism Committee that it is an unfair approach that will lead to many pubs closing, adding that he has also heard of gastropubs that have decided not to open, fearing large crowds caused by other pubs closing.