Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday's decision was disastrous for rural pubs. Rural pubs are being thrown into the same phase of reopening as nightclubs. They are totally different types of businesses. The Government has to get a common understanding of a rural pub. It obviously has not had such an understanding up here in recent years. Rural pubs are being thrown in with urban pubs, including Dublin pubs. It is a totally different type of business. In rural pubs four or five customers enjoy a drink in safe proximity. What the Government has led is the opening up of illegal bars all over the place, including in west Cork, in my constituency. There are large house parties. Publicans listened to vibes they got from the Tánaiste and other politicians in government and assumed the Government would allow for the reopening of pubs. They bought their stock. They are down thousands of euro. They are going out of business. Many have pulled the plug as of the Government's decision yesterday evening. It has to rescind that decision.

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