A group representing publicans has claimed that shutting the capital's pubs under Level 3 "hasn't worked" in reducing infection rate in Dublin.
The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) has said that the closure of pubs in Dublin hasn't made a difference as majority of bars and restaurants remain closed for nearly a month.
LVA chief Donall O’Keeffe said that the Government and NPHET's "big idea" to reduce the level of infections in Dublin has proved ineffective.
He said: "Despite the lack of progress, they are taking the same approach around the country and extending these short-sighted measures in Dublin.
"They expect pubs and restaurants to take blow after blow while all other aspects of society can continue to go about their business.
"This is disproportionate and tokenistic. It amounts to being seen to take action and merely punishing easy targets."
Several Dublin pubs and restaurants, without outdoor facilities for food, were forced to close on September 18.
The LVA added: "In the three weeks since their forced closure, the level of infection in Dublin continued to grow.
"This was despite NPHET claims that the infections were arising in pubs and restaurants, a claim they have failed to produce data to justify."
An additional 432 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Ireland last night with 111 in Dublin.
Health chiefs have also announced one further death from the killer bug.
The death toll from the virus now stands at 1,811 while there have been 38,973 infections since the outbreak began.
