Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

249. To ask the Minister for Health if other alternatives were examined to ensure that non-compliant businesses were more effectively targeted rather than increasing the cost and administrative burden on compliant operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22967/20]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

250. To ask the Minister for Health the analysis carried out on the practical implications for business prior to introducing the 28-day customer record retention rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22983/20]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

307. To ask the Minister for Health the consultation that took place between his Department and the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht in advance of new rules being introduced regarding the hospitality sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22963/20]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

308. To ask the Minister for Health the rationale behind the requirements for the 28-day customer record retention rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22982/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 249, 250, 307 and 308 together.

The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 (SI No. 326 of 2020) provide for restrictions nationally to deal with the spread of Covid-19.

Currently a business or service that is selling or supplying alcohol for consumption on the premises may not open to the public other than where the alcohol is ordered at the same time as a substantial meal is ordered, during the meal or after the meal has ended, and consumed during the meal or after the meal has ended.The substantial meal requirement has been in place since the end of June, when restaurants and pubs operating as restaurants reopened.

The new requirement to keep a record of substantial meals ordered is designed to facilitate checking compliance with the substantial meal requirement. It is intended to show that a substantial meal was ordered, not to give details of what a particular customer ordered. Nor is it intended to place an unnecessary burden on businesses and the Regulations are not prescriptive on how a record is made.

My Department sought observations from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport as part of the process of drafting the Regulations.