Mr. Padraig Cribben:

I bid the Senator a good afternoon and thank him for his question. It is fair to say that both the Licensed Vintners Association and ourselves from day one last March have been at one on the question of food and non-food pubs. I refuse to use the term "wet pub" because many of our members do not like it. I call them non-food pubs. We genuinely believe they should all be allowed open at the same time under the same restrictions and, if necessary, with the same sanctions. We believed that all along and that has been the approach of the Licensed Vintners Association as well.

Regarding access to trade, we are also of the one view that if it is outdoor access it should not be based on any set number of people but rather on the capacity to do that safely. As the Senator will know, whether it be in Athboy or in Navan, some pubs can take a certain number of people, some can take many more and some cannot have anyone outdoors. It must be based on the capacity to do things safety. I cannot talk for Mr. O'Keeffe but certainly my perception would be that we have been at one, we are at one and we will be at one.