Leo Varadkar has said that he is “sympathetic” to the idea that a pub is a controlled environment for Christmas celebrations.
But he also warned of the potential for pub after parties that could increase Covid risk.
Mr Varadkar’s comments may be seen by the hospitality sector as a sign of hope ahead of tomorrow’s lockdown lifting announcements.
It is expected that restaurants and gastropubs will be given the green light to open in December, but that so-called ‘wet pubs’ who don’t serve food will miss out.
The Tánaiste has also revealed that he fears that a widespread reopening of pubs could fuel extra house parties after the pubs close.
And that it is at these events where superspreading of Covid could occur.
Mr Varadkar was speaking during Questions on Promised Legislation in the Dáil this afternoon.
The issue was raised by Tipperary independent TD, Michael Lowry, who said the pubs in his county are facing “decimation” if they can’t open this December.
Mr Varadkar said in response: “I do understand the argument and I am sympathetic to this argument that a pub is a controlled environment, and that people are less likely to interact there than, for example, a house party or a home gathering.
“But I do think we do need to bear in mind that just because people do gather in a pub doesn’t mean that an equal number of home gatherings won’t happen.
“It’s very possible that people after having spent a few hours or the night in a pub will then retire to somebody’s house and have a house party there.
“So I don’t think this idea that just because open pubs there will be fewer pubs is necessarily true.
“It might actually end up with the same number or even more and therefore increase risk."
