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The Government is silent on when Ireland’s “wet bars” will be allowed to reopen.
There has been a big push from tavern keepers to allow pubs without food to open this month and government ministers have said they hope to have a plan soon.
The next decision on the reopening is expected to be made on September 13, when publicans await a specific date.
The Taoiseach, Tanasite and the Minister of Health have discussed the possibilities of reopening pubs on the last day. This is what they had to say;
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Tanasita Leo Varadkar
Speaking on Friday afternoon, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said he cannot give a specific date but hopes to open pubs soon.
Mr Varadkar said: “It is about striking the right balance between public health and also allowing people to get on with their lives and livelihoods, and that is what living with the virus entails.”
“We are working with NPHET and the Department of Health to implement guidelines that make that possible, but we must always take into account, of course, the behavior of the disease itself.”
He noted that while pubs are open in most other countries, they have caused some problems.
The Fine Gael leader also praised people in the hospitality industry for their work in recent months.
Mr. Varadkar added: “I want to acknowledge that the hospitality industry has done a very good job of keeping us safe and implementing those recommendations and this is not designed to upset them in any way and I think it has been misunderstood a bit.”
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly today discussed the latest rules requiring pubs and restaurants to keep receipts for 28 days.
He told RTE2fm: ‘It’s about protecting the people who work in the restaurant industry. All it says is the receipts you already save, save them.
“They already keep these receipts. It’s about making sure there are no rogue merchants and that’s it.”
Fianna Fail’s minister did not shed any further light on a possible pub opening date.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin
Speaking on Thursday, the Taoiseach stressed that he wants to open pubs, but nothing is set in stone yet.
Martin said: “As a government, we want to open up other sectors of the economy that remain closed, including pubs.
“And at the moment they are working on the orientation … in relation to the conditions that would apply in the event of the reopening of pubs, so they are working on the orientation and it will be broadcast.
“But, as always, we will be guided by public health councils.
“The orientation will include conditions … to protect lives and people’s health.”
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