Government row back on takeaway pint ban after backlash from publicans
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The Government appears to have rowed back on plans for an outright ban on takeaway pints amid accusations of 'knee-jerk' reactions to social media videos of street drinking.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly was expected to bring a memo to Cabinet today to propose an outright ban on the sale of alcohol from pubs for takeaway purposes for the remainder of the level 5 lockdown.
It followed the sharing of images on social media at the weekend of large crowds gathered near pubs in Cork and Dublin, drinking on the streets.
However, a number of publicans had fiercely criticised proposals for the takeaway ban, accusing the government of making policy based on a few social media posts.
Sources in Government said an outright ban may not be imposed but some tightening of restrictions would be considered.
"Cabinet will decide about how best to deal with congregated settings outside pubs and restaurants," the source said.
Bye-laws currently don't allow drinking on many public streets which further complicates the matter.
In response to weekend videos, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government would clamp down on takeaway pints.
Mr Martin said the videos were "extremely concerning".
"I think it flies in the face of what's acceptable in terms of adherence to the guidelines and regulations because we all have to work to try and get the incidence of the virus down," said Mr Martin.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn also raised concern about crowds drinking on the streets.
"Behaviour like that is frustrating for the millions of people who are doing the right thing," said Dr Glynn. "It's very frustrating for business owners who have been under restrictions.
"I don't have specific evidence that people getting together to drink on the streets has led to a cluster but the more that people do that, the more likely it is to happen.
"If we see that behaviour repeated over and over again, we will see more clusters.
"There's a more significant effect of things like this — thousands and thousands of people see it on social media.
"Thousands and thousands of people who are trying to do the right thing and find it much more difficult to justify why they're sticking to the public health advice when the actions of a selfish minority are putting the efforts of everyone at risk."
However, Ernest Cantillon, who owns a number of pubs in Cork City, said the knee-jerk nature of Micheál Martin's comments was frustrating.
Mr Cantillon said the crowds of people pictured in a public park and boardwalk beside his bar, Electric, at the weekend were not all his customers.
"It's annoying that the Government will respond to noise on social media as opposed to people who run businesses and our representative bodies who have been asking for more consultation since March," said Mr Cantillon.
"There are always people in the park. It’s one of the few city-centre parks that's not locked up at night. All nationalities and all ages gather there. People always drink there, whether it’s people sitting outside Electric or bringing their own drinks from home or the supermarket, that hasn’t changed.
"But because it was dry and it was mild, there was a larger group than usual there on Saturday.
"Then someone put up a photograph online and it went viral."
With two weeks left in the current lockdown, it remains unclear if wet pubs will be allowed to open when restrictions are eased.
Pubs that serve food may be allowed to reopen but it's uncertain if indoor dining and drinking will be allowed.