Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Pubs that do not offer a substantial meal to customers are due, or may be due, to open next Monday. I note the comment by the deputy chief medical officer that there is a week to decide on this matter. The Civil Service can work for a while in splendid isolation from economic realities or at least until the economy cannot afford to pay their salaries. For small businesses, however, there are preparations to be made, including getting in new stock. Many of these pubs are family-run businesses and the owners have to make arrangements for their families. They need to know in advance what is happening. We cannot tell them on Monday morning that they can open at 10 a.m. that day.

When will the statutory instrument that will govern this issue be published? Thus far, we have had relevant statutory instruments published two or three days after they come into effect. That does not amount to the rule of law because one cannot regulate one's behaviour in accordance with something that is not published and we cannot prosecute somebody for not adhering to something they cannot even see. When will the statutory instrument be published so that people can have certainty as to what is happening?

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