Pub owners have slammed a "disastrous" new rule that will see tickets required for customers when live music is playing.
In a new headache for the pubs industry, it has emerged that tickets will be needed for live music in small bars in addition to rules already announced for nightclubs.
The Government is nervous that Covid case numbers could spike after the further reopening of the hospitality sector.
And in an effort to keep things under control, extra contact and tracing measures are being introduced.
This will see nightclubs and bars with live music having to issue tickets in advance of entry to their premises.
A spokesman for the LVA (Licensed Vintners Association) slammed the new move, saying it is "keystone cops meets Father Ted stuff."
The intention of the Government is to capture bars that effectively turn into nightclubs, but bars with small bands, where people might get up and cheer and dance to, would be caught under the new plans.
Speaking after the briefing session, Donall O’Keeffe, Chief Executive of the LVA said: “We can’t believe that this is being proposed by Government. As we made clear at the meeting this is completely unworkable.
"It is a disaster for late bars, nightclubs and musicians. It simply won’t be possible to put such a system in place, it contradicts the very nature of social activity in Ireland.
"Do they know anything about the late night economy?
“If the Government goes ahead with these requirements then ad hoc late night socialising will not be possible. It could also have a devastating impact on DJs and live performers as most pubs simply won’t put on such entertainment.
“The very fact that this bombshell was dropped on the trade at 6.30pm on the very evening they reopen after 585 days of closure shows how appalling the Government planning for our reopening has been.
"The Government process to reopen out sector has become Keystone Cops meets Father Ted stuff."
The Department of Tourism and the Department of Enterprise will meet again with industry groups on Tuesday to hammer out the final details of the new regime.
