The CEO of the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) has said that he would like to see late bars and nightclubs returning in September along with a push to allow the return of indoor live music later this month.
In a message that was shared by Noel Anderson, Chair of the LVA, the organisation will also be seeking discussions about the return of music indoors.
The LVA has said: "In light of the latest developments around the permitting of music in outdoor settings, the LVA is seeking urgent discussions on the resumption of all forms of music incl live performances & DJs in indoor settings as well as plans to support the return of late bars and nightclubs."
Earlier this afternoon it was confirmed that parties for up to 200 people are now allowed outdoors and live music is also permitted in outdoor spaces in pubs and restaurants.
In a statement that was released online, Padraig Cribben, CEO of the Vintners Federation of Ireland welcomed the clarity regarding the rules and believes that they're a positive move towards the removal of all rules governing indoor hospitality.
Cribben said: “We welcome the clarity these new guidelines offer our members. Pubs are now permitted to facilitate outdoor parties for up to 200 people while live music makes a welcome return also in outdoor settings.
“The new guidelines make clear we’re moving towards a full reopening of society and it’s now only a matter of time before all restrictions in pubs such as mandatory table service and the ban on people sitting at bar counters are removed."
The guidelines and rules were put into the spotlight again after it emerged that Tànaiste Leo Varadkar was one of the 50 VIP guests at the garden party in the Merrion Hotel hosted by Katherine Zappone on July 21st.
The news infuriated the hospitality sector who had been operating in line with Fáilte Ireland guidelines that put a limit of six adults per party on gatherings.
Tànaiste Leo Varadkar apologised for attending Katherine Zappone's party, saying he "may have let his guard down."
During an interview with RTE's Six-One News, he said: "I want to say sorry to the hospitality sector in particular.
“They’re struggling to get open again and it doesn’t help them that the guidelines are unclear at times, and also to any members of the public who are confused at times because I know everyone, most people, try to stick to the rules and when there’s confusion about them that makes it harder for people."
The Tánaiste added: “I do want to say very clearly and state this very clearly that the event was not in breach of the Government regulations at the time which allowed for outdoor gatherings of over 200, and probably wasn’t in breach of the Fáilte guidelines.”
The Fine Gael leader noted that the guidelines were ambiguous and confusing.
