Heather Humphreys has described the threatened Garda crackdown on drinking outside pubs as “a local issue” that she hopes will have a “local solution.”
And she said that outdoor drinking and dining has “worked extremely well” since it was allowed reopen earlier this month.
The Minister for Justice was speaking in Monaghan on Monday morning after it emerged that gardaí in Galway had warned publicans and restaurant owners that drinking outside their premises is potentially illegal.
This has caused chaos after millions of euro has been spent preparing outdoor areas and buying street furniture to comply with the ban on indoor dining.
It also flies in the face of all the Government advice telling us to stay away from indoor gatherings.
Ms Humphreys has moved to reassure the hospitality industry that this will not threaten the ‘outdoor summer’ that they’ve been preparing for.
And she revealed that she has spoken directly to the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on this matter and that he is issuing a directive to all gardaí today not to penalise pubs.
Minister Humphreys said: “First of all, to be clear, there are so many people having enjoyed both eating out and having a drink outdoors over this weekend alone and I’d like to compliment all of those who have done so very successfully.
“In fact, I was out myself in Monaghan last night and it’s a credit to the publicans and the hospitality sector the way in which they are handling the outdoor dining and drinking.
“There has been an issue in one part of the country, a local issue and I would say to those people involved to try and find a local solution.
“I spoke with the (Garda) Commissioner this morning and he has assured me that the gardaí will apply discretion and he will be issuing a communique to his organisation today to confirm that.
“So, for most people, can I just say they’ve had a really good weekend and I’d like that to continue.”
Ms Humphreys added: “This has worked extremely well right across the country.”
