Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like everybody else in the country, I am disappointed that phase 4 must be delayed until 10 August, but it is obvious that it is being done in the interest of public health. We have no choice but to embrace it and deliver on it. It is certainly the case that the 3,500 pubs that do not serve food must remain closed because we know that mingling and interaction are part of the pub culture and among the reasons people go to a pub. All Members have heard many anecdotal stories about pubs that serve food and are currently open. I commend the thousands of pub owners who are serving food, running their business correctly and properly and abiding by the comprehensive Fáilte Ireland regulations.

The sad reality is that a small minority of publicans are not running their businesses correctly. All Senators could identify pubs in their local area to which people are going with the excuse of eating dinner, but then staying and drinking for hours. That is not right. I commend An Garda Síochána, which is doing its best to deal with this situation. I understand that many pubs of that nature have been closed. They are closed down, but they reopen the following day.

I am calling for a debate on the implementation of phase 4 and the application of the current guidelines in the hospitality industry. It is a vital sector. In normal times, pubs and other hospitality businesses in the Cathaoirleach's county and in mine would be very busy. This would be peak season for them. I have great sympathy for the owners of pubs that are closed and those that are serving food and doing their business right. For many of them, all they have to do is to look down the road or to the next village to see businesses that are not doing it right.There is a need for a wake-up call in terms of dealing with these-----