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New guidelines forcing innkeepers who serve food to keep track of every meal consumed on their premises for 28 days have sparked outrage.
The Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) says that the introduction of a new law is “bureaucracy insane” and will add a huge burden to companies already in trouble.
The legal instrument presented today also includes an extension of the closing hours of pubs until 11:30 p.m.
Padraig Cribben, CEO of VFI, says: “This is crazy.
“The idea that a pub should record all the food ordered by each customer and then store it for 28 days is a crazed bureaucracy.
“Not only is it too impractical for our members to implement it, but why does the Government believe that this law will help in the fight against Covid? It’s crazy.
“We are all in favor of making customers feel safe in our pubs, but this new measure only increases the pressure on staff who already face a number of new security measures.
“This is part of a Statutory Instrument presented by Health Minister Simon Donnelly without any consultation with the hotel sector.
“It is obvious that both the minister and his department have little understanding of the practical implications of this new law.”
The incoming president of the Dublin-based Licensed Vintners Association, Noel Anderson, also condemned the regulations.
The managing director of The Bridge and Lemon & Duke pubs in Dublin city center said on RTÉ’s Drivetime: “Right now, if you don’t laugh, you’ll just start crying. For me it’s a step too far, it’s just a sham.
“We are one of the lucky ones that we have the technology to automatically record information, but many smaller bars and restaurants don’t. So you are creating a mountain of paperwork for them.
“The guards are pretty busy so I don’t know who is going to enforce this. We got an email from a line this morning, it was lightning out of nowhere.
“It will mean additional staff, I would almost need another person full time. And this at a time when hospitality is on its knees.”
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