New guidelines forcing publicans who serve food to keep records of every meal eaten on their premises for 28 days has sparked outrage.
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) says the introduction of a new law is “bureaucracy gone mad” and will add a huge burden to already struggling businesses.
The statutory instrument introduced on Thursday also includes an extension of closing time for pubs to 11.30pm.
As expected, pubs weren't long taking the mickey out of the new controversial guidelines taking to social media to vent their anger sarcastically.
The Bankers on Trinity Street tagged the Minister for Health in their tweet saying: "Hi Stephen Donnelly and Failte Ireland.
"A customer changed his pepper sauce for garlic butter with his steak today, hope this was OK?"
They added: "At this stage all Dublin pubs and every other food serving business needs to stand up against this and fight these so-called guidelines. It's just ridiculous now."
Oscars Cafe Bar in Smithfield joined in with the jibes also setting out a set of rules for eating and drinking in the pub.
Among the usual guidelines we've become used to, they added: "A record will be kept for every bathroom visit; A record will also be kept of what was the purpose for visiting the bathroom, .i.e was it a number 1 or number 2."
They continued: "We are all in this together, unless of course you are a bar or restaurant in which case you will be thrown to the wolves."
Padraig Cribben, VFI Chief Executive, says: “This is crazy stuff.
"The idea that a pub must record all food ordered by each customer and then store it for 28 days is bureaucracy gone mad.
"Not only is it too impractical for our members to implement but why does the Government think this law will help in the fight against Covid? It’s madness.
“We’re all for making customers feel safe in our pubs but this new measure only increases pressure on staff already coping with a host of new safety measures.
“This is part of a Statutory Instrument introduced by the Minister for Health Simon Donnelly without any consultation with the hospitality sector.
"It is obvious that both the Minister and his department have little understanding of the practical implications of this new law.”
