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Bars serving food may open June 29, six weeks earlier than expected.
Bars with restaurants hope to return to business next month.
Restaurants may open in late June, while pubs must remain closed until August 10.
But Adrian Cummins of the Irish Restaurant Association says gastro-pubs should be allowed to open by the end of next month.
“If the HSE and the Department of Health say that gastro-pubs can open under a restaurant license, so be it,” said Mr. Cummins.
“And if they can show that they are a full restaurant that offers substantial food, there is no reason why they cannot open.”
The Irish Vintners Federation (VFI) is looking for an urgent meeting with the Minister of Health to see if these outlets can open next month.
“If they are serving food, there is absolutely no reason why they should not be allowed to open,” said VFI CEO Padraig Cribben.
“Many of them are food operations and in some cases they are probably making more food than alcohol.
“It is a matter of equal opportunity for those who want to eat and we firmly believe that they should be given that opportunity.”
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