Vintners say publicans would lose all trust in Government if reopening date delayed again

Mixed messages from Government and the National Public Health Emergency Team are being criticised by the Licensed Vintners Association

The Licensed Vintners Association has said that publicans would lose all trust in Government if the reopening date for wet pubs was to be pushed back again.

Last Tuesday it was reported how Cabinet had agreed upon September 21 as the date for all pubs across Ireland to reopen, no matter if they serve food or not.

The Government clarified this would be subject to potential local restrictions and all depends on COVID-19 cases.

A government spokesperson said: "If there is a change in the situation between now and then it won't just affect the pubs, it will affect all businesses."

And after NPHET called for the continued closure of wet pubs in Dublin due to rising cases, the LVA is criticising the "contradictory messages" given.

Any further delay, the LVA says, means the Government is pushing many pubs into mortgage default.

“If the Government were to further delay the reopening of the non-food pubs in Dublin, it would completely destroy any trust publicans have in the Government’s management of this crisis,” said Donall O’Keeffe, Chief Executive of the LVA.

“It would fly in the face of the commitments made by Government last week, shatter the value of that Cabinet announcement and would raise the question as to what basis the Government is making its decisions.

"It would also have the immediate impact of driving many of these businesses into immediate mortgage default.

"The mixed messages coming from NPHET and the Government is really adding to the uncertainty facing the publicans, their staff, suppliers and all the families involved.

"They feel like the ground keeps shifting around them. This is not the way a crisis should be managed."

Mr O'Keeffe added how the recommendaton from NPHET is "bizarre" and there "is zero rationale behind that advice".

He continued: "NPHET has repeatedly singled out pubs for draconian treatment and has continued to obsess about pubs rather those elements of Irish society where the real problems lie such as meat factories, direct provision or household gatherings."

A decision on any potential restrictions in Dublin will be announced on Tuesday as well as the Government publishing its medium term plan for COVID-19.