In terms of Ireland's pubs, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has confirmed that outdoor service is officially back on from June 7 and shortly after, indoor drinking can resume on July 5.
However, the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) has called on the Government to bring forward the opening date for pubs to July 1 to allow an extra weekend of trade.
Following the Taoiseach's address to the nation, a statement from the VFI said: "In advance of opening indoors, the VFI is also calling for the removal of the 105-minute time limit from the guidelines as, by the end of June, over 70% of the population will have been offered a vaccine, which is a higher vaccination rate than Northern Ireland achieved when it opened pubs indoors."
VFI Chief Executive, Padraig Cribben, added: "There are only nine weekends in that short season so to remove one of those crucial weekends by reopening on a Monday is a blow the Government can avoid by simply moving the date forward by four days to July 1.
When outdoor food and drinks do return on June 7, the rules and regulations regarding the outdoor consumption of alcohol will be of interest to the public.
On this note, the following nine rules are all listed on the Government's website and they are as follows;
1) What defines the outdoor premise where you can consume alcohol?
Usual pub licences allow publicans to serve alcohol and for it to be consumed on the premises, which can include areas outside the confines of the building such as gardens, yards, carparks, etc.
2) Extending the area of what can be used to dine and consume alcohol on
Local Authorities under Section 254 of the Planning Acts can licence the placing of furniture, such as tables and chairs, in public areas such as footpaths, pedestrianised streets, etc.
3) Putting the previous two points together
Local Authorities may also make bye-laws under Section 199 of the Local Government Act that permits the consumption of food and alcohol while using this street furniture.
4) Using specific sections that are already there
There are already many examples in cities of tables placed outside pubs/restaurants where alcohol is consumed in a roped-off area. This is done in accordance with the bye-laws in that town or city.
5) Gardai will still be vigilant
An Garda Síochána have responsibility for policing the liquor licensing laws and public order generally.
6) What defines the 'authorities' in terms of outdoor drinking?
It is generally the case that there is close cooperation between An Garda Síochána and Local Authorities and most licensed premises.
7) Cooperation between the authorities
It is expected that the expanded provisions for outdoor dining/drinking will be operated in accordance with these existing arrangements.
8) New bye-laws can be created
There may be a need for bye-laws to be made by some local authorities to facilitate the outdoor consumption of alcohol.
9) What gives the Gardai their right to police outdoor drinking?
In the event that the facilities are being abused or giving rise to concerns on the part of An Garda Síochána that public order issues are arising, they can take action on public order grounds (or if there are breaches of the licensing laws).
