The Chief Executive of the Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) believes it's "only a matter of time" before the remaining rules on indoor hospitality are removed.
Earlier this week 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 VFI 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."
Speaking after the announcement, the Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Adrian Cummins, has called on the government to do more to help the beleaguered industry.
He said: “Businesses have lost a huge amount of potential revenue - Government need to allow normal trading hours with immediate effect.”
The rules that the hospitality sector have to abide by came into sharp focus this week after it emerged that the Tánaiste was one of the 50 VIP guests at the garden party in the Merrion Hotel hosted by a former ministerial colleague of his, Katherine Zappone, on July 21st last.
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, "I want to say sorry to the hospitality sector in particular," he said.
“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.
Get the latest headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
