The Chief Executive of the Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) has criticised the "mixed messages" that publicans have received about the potential reopening of indoor service on July 5.
During an interview on Virgin Media's Tonight Show, Padraig Cribben discussed the importance of the summer 'staycation' season to the pub and hospitality trade and said that the industry needs a clear message to be delivered by the end of the week.
"One of the big problems we're having at the minute is the mixed messages that are coming in. There are two issues, one is around timing and the other is around the potential commercial consequences of not opening on July 5.
"We're being told that a decision will be made on Friday week. You've got to bear in mind that I've been talking to members all day today who are looking at bringing back staff next week, taking them off the PUP, retraining them in new procedures and new systems.
"They're now saying, 'do I bring them back next week, or do I leave it?' They just don't know. We have the same issue around the product, do I order products do I not order product? We went through this three times last year and there were very substantial losses incurred by taking in stock that then had to be done away with because it wasn't fit for purpose," said Mr Cribben.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Tànaiste expressed his concerns over the reopening of pubs on July 5 and said that the Delta variant is the “dark cloud on the horizon” at the moment.
Mr Varadkar said that “the final call” can’t be made until Government get the latest advice next week.
The Fine Gael leader said: "As things stand, the plan is still to ease restrictions on the fifth of July But as is always the case, that final call, that decision won’t be made until a few days before.
“We’ll take into account four factors.
“One, is the number of cases, which is falling, that’s encouraging. Another is the hospitals, hospital numbers are going down, which is encouraging.
Elsewhere, the Taoiseach has insisted that he "wouldn’t be afraid" to delay the big reopening if public health advice dictates.
Mr Cribben has stressed the financial situation that publicans are currently facing and called on the Government to take decisive action.
The VFI's Chief Executive also reiterated that any financial hit during the summer season is much more damaging to publicans around the country.
"If we look at the commercial implications and I know people will say, 'look, it may be a week or two weeks' but what they actually forget is that it's not just one week or two weeks out of 52.
"A vast majority of our members - along with hotels and restaurants - are dependent on staycations for a reasonable level of viability this year. There are about 8 to 10 weeks of that. To lose a week or two weeks in July, that's the same as losing a month or two months in the wintertime.
"What we actually need is a clear message, not on the second of July, we needed it this week. Businesses need the opportunity to plan to do what's right, whether it's rostering staff, training staff, getting stock in etc. We just need clarity at this point in time."
