Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes, but, with respect, other European cities can manage this. Dublin is a beautiful city. It is by far and away one of the loveliest places on earth, in my opinion, so why can we not have outdoor spaces that are similar to those available to citizens in cities right across Europe?

We have many open spaces. I was really disappointed to see Portobello Plaza closed and to think this might happen to other places, given that we will be spending the summer outdoors. For those people who will not be dining indoors and who want to stay outdoors, there should be spaces where they can gather, not just places to meet when spending money. It seems as if those places are disappearing. We are becoming less and less like other European cities and I do not think that is a good way for us to go. It comes down to basic facilities such as bins and toilets. They will make the outdoors much more liveable. We would like to see some concrete action on that. I appreciate that the Tánaiste has heard the point but we would like to see more of an instruction being given to local authorities to ensure this is done.

On the rules regarding indoor dining, I am not a scientist and do not pretend to be, but it makes no sense to me that this is decided purely on the basis of the type of business. An hotel with a small restaurant and low ceilings will be able to open, whereas a restaurant with high ceilings and good ventilation will not. The same is true of a pub that has the capacity to put dividers between the tables and so on. I appreciate that the Tánaiste has met people in the hospitality industry but they are scratching their heads. If it is going to be based on size, let it be based on size, or if it is going to be based on ventilation, let it be based on ventilation, but that should be based on scientific evidence. They have not seen evidence and nor have I.

Will the Tánaiste offer an explanation for the decision, or even some comfort that such businesses will be able to open at the same time provided that they have the facilities? Nobody wants 100 people to be squashed into a small room with low ceilings. We are all a bit risk averse at this stage to that kind of scenario. Nevertheless, a large pub or restaurant with high ceilings and good ventilation is surely as safe as a similar type of venue within an hotel. I believe it is possible to do it based on size. It has been based on size or ventilation in other European countries, rather than simply on the type of business that it happens to be.