Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the extension of the legislation. It has been a vital support to pubs and restaurants throughout the country over recent months. I accept the point on the weather being better then than it is now. The reason the legislation was introduced forward in July was because of the push for us all to have an outdoor summer. The Government realised that licences are granted based on the floor space of a premises and that in certain places throughout the country bylaws were in place to prohibit the consumption of alcohol in public spaces. The provision of outdoor seating areas for businesses, many of which had been closed for a year, has been an incredible lifeline. It was sorely needed at the time. It has given them a bigger footprint when people have had to comply with indoor spacing rules. From a number of standpoints, it allows these businesses to seek a larger number of customers than they would otherwise be able to do. These businesses need every support we can give them to keep their doors open in the coming months. Every extra chair and table will help to keep them afloat. The public like it. They are certainly voting with their feet. It also gives passive security to streets that would otherwise be very quiet. We could see a change in the nature of the streets once we saw quite a lot of people sitting outdoors.

In other cold countries, such as Berlin in Germany in particular, it is routine to have outdoor dining throughout the year. It is also the case in other European cities. Some of this is designed into buildings on a permanent basis. This measure is particularly important at present given that we know the virus is airborne and that it is much safer to be outside as opposed to inside. I have to say I would not find it particularly attractive to be sitting under an umbrella with the rain dripping down my back. There will be a limit to it over the winter.

Some local authorities are looking at making this more permanent. There are issues that need to be considered in this context, including making sure that there are proper footpaths and that people with disabilities are not tripping over obstacles which should not be there. If this is to continue, and I believe it should, a good look needs to be taken at the circumstances that allow this to operate safely and comfortably for all cohorts as opposed to just people who want to eat and drink outside and those who own the establishments. A range of other issues needs to be looked at. I certainly welcome the extension. It gives a degree of certainty that is needed, particularly at present.

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