Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a lot more common than one might think.

Clearly, hospitality is going to open over the summer, possibly with outside dining as happened last year. Obviously, there will be protocols in place and recommendations and so on. This is work that NPHET should be engaged on at present because regardless of whether hospitality reopens in May or June for outside dining, we all hope it is going to happen at some stage in the coming months. I am sure, with the evolution of the virus, we will be looking at new recommendations in terms of tables being 1 ft. or 2 ft. apart, a certain number of people per table and so forth. Is preparatory work being done on this? To be fair to the hospitality industry, some prior notice will be needed. The Government should also be given some prior notice because financial supports may have to be put in place to accommodate any new recommendations or changes.