Irish pubs update: Pub bosses outline concerns as new date emerges for reopening

Work is currently underway to plough ahead with the reopening of indoor dining as pressure mounts on the government to reopen the sector.

Legislation is expected to be rushed through the Dáil to get indoor dining reopened as publicans have conceded a vaccine pass is their only option to allow customers back indoors.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar this week insisted that vaccine certs were the only way to reopen indoor pubs throughout a wave of the Delta variant.

Speaking to RTE Chief Executive of the Vintners Federation Ireland Padraig Cribben said there was still concerns among publicans about how the system will work.

He said: "There are so many anomalies and contradictions. Areas that publicans are going to have to look at in detail.

Cribben added that the group had initially said the plan was 'unworkable' however they have since accepted the plan but added it will be difficult to enforce.

Initially the government had delayed indoor dining from July 5 with the aim of reopening once again on July 19.

However the new date which is now emerging is July 26 as the government cobbles together a plan for immunity certs.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said a date will not be finalised until a memo outlining legislation on how the system will work will go before Cabinet on Tuesday.

Mr Martin said the target is to have a plan ready by July 19 but legislation will need to go through the Dáil to facilitate the reopening.

The Dáil and the Seanad is due to rise for summer recess next Thursday but the Fianna Fáil leader said it will be a very short piece of legislation.

People enjoying food and drink at Davy Byrnes Pub in Dublin (Getty)

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “We did commit to a plan to be ready by July 19 and that will be the case.

“The policy options that will come before us will not just outline what happens in the short term but also on a phased basis what can happen over the interim period.

“We're on the cusp of facilitating indoor hospitality and dining.

“We don’t see this [vaccine pass] as a long term measure but it’s a pathway to reopening.”

He said NPHET will not be consulted anymore on plans to reopen indoor dining as they have already provided public health advice on how the government should proceed with the resumption of indoor dining with vaccine passes.

The body that represents pubs in Dublin have said they have been left with no other option to reopen with vaccine passes or else face being shut until September or possibly October.