Daniel Smith, a publican at Grogan's Bar in Dublin, has called for the early reopening of beer gardens in Irish pubs.
Mr Smith believes that it's safer for people to mix in a more controlled outdoor environment and that pubs should initially recommence outdoor service before moving indoors.
Speaking with Newstalk, he said: "You see it in Dublin now; the canals, the parks, whenever there was a sunny day it's full of people out enjoying themselves and there's absolutely not a thing wrong with it. But why are we keeping so many people out of work when we can do it in probably a more controlled environment?"
Mr Smith believes that lessons have been learned from the Christmas period when a rapid reopening of Ireland - which included gastropubs - ultimately led to a spike of Covid cases in January.
"There were several contributing factors: the new variant, people travelling home for Christmas - there was several different things contributing to that. And also lessons have been learned, it's not going to be a full-spread wide re-opening.
"We're looking at opening outdoor first, and hopefully we can get that, and that'll go well and things will run successfully. And then following on from that, maybe three or four weeks down the line, we'll get our indoor back open. But lessons have been learned from Christmas, we've got a critical mass of our elderly and vulnerable vaccinated now."
"At this stage, we've been out of work 14 months - as have plenty of people in pubs in Dublin and all over the country - and I think it's about time we do get back to work."
Earlier this week, Minister Simon Harris said he's optimistic that restaurants, gastropubs and pubs will be able to reopen and provide outdoor service this summer, without the need for a substantial meal.
Speaking with KCLR, the Wicklow TD was asked about his recent comments where he expressed his hope that the government will allow people to do "a little bit more outdoors" this summer.
When asked if he could provide a specific date by which people could eat outside in a restaurant or bar, Minister Harris said: "This is an area I'll get into trouble if I over-speculate on because I don't know the answer yet but I don't see why we won't be able to do that during the summer months. We managed this last summer
"This summer, we obviously have the benefit of vaccines as well. I've been making the point in recent days that the outdoors is pretty safe. And we're already seeing people being able to meet at a picnic bench and have a picnic with someone from another household. That's not much different than outdoor dining in my view."
Elsewhere, the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) has insisted that the government allows all pubs – traditional and gastro – as well as other hospitality venues, to provide outdoor service from the week beginning May 24.
The LVA has urged publicans to contact their local political representatives in an effort to ensure all pubs are allowed to provide outdoor service by May 24.
Earlier this week, a senior Government source told the Irish Mirror : “June 10th is the date that has been mentioned for hotels (reopening).
“The vaccination programme has been working and it is the plan to continue to progress the reopening of our society.
“The Government will set out its plan for the months of May, June and July next week.”
When asked if this included plans for hotels, pubs and restaurants, the source added: “Yes, hospitality included.”
The June Bank Holiday falls this year on June 5th, 6th and 7th.
The Cabinet are due to meet twice next week ahead of an announcement about re-opening on Thursday.
