​PRICES are rising at the fastest pace in almost nine years as the economy experiences a “nasty” period of inflation.

Prices on average were 2.2pc higher in July compared with the same month last year, figures from the Central Statistics Office show.

Economists said we are now experiencing a “nasty” period of inflation due to post-pandemic shortages.

​The monthly Foodservice Sector Sentiment Index for July 2021 has been published.  The survey conducted with users across the foodservice sector aims to provide a snapshot of attitudes towards current marketplace conditions and the economic climate.

Covering such areas as employment, team management, state support, and industry perceptions, the index gives a unique perspective on how the hospitality supplier sector sees itself and how it views the outlook for the industry over the short to medium term.

​The Cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19 will meet today when it is expected to discuss updates to hospitality industry guidelines on outdoor events.

It follows questions raised over an event hosted by former minister Katherine Zappone in a Dublin hotel last month and subsequent advice from the Attorney General.

Fáilte Ireland is the State agency charged with drawing up guidelines for the hospitality industry on how to operate under Covid regulations.

This week, following news that Ms Zappone hosted the outdoor event in a Dublin hotel with 50 guests, including Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, the Government published advice from the Attorney General which said it is now permissible to organise outdoor events for up to 200 people.

Fáilte Ireland is now updating its guidelines to reflect this advice.  The details are expected to be discussed at today's committee.  Meanwhile, the Government is to review how it appoints UN special envoys in the wake of the controversy over the appointment, to such a role, of Ms Zappone.  She later turned down the appointment.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the appointments process will be reviewed after August, without setting a date.

Fáilte Ireland is planning a major marketing push for Dublin this winter in an effort to spur activity and footfall in the capital.

It said that businesses have struggled to survive in the city and that the “road to recovery seems likely to be a long one”.
Fáilte Ireland has partnered with Dublin’s local authorities and other stakeholders to mount a collective response to the Covid fallout via the Dublin Destination Recovery Taskforce. 

Restaurateurs are to push for an end to the 11.30pm curfew at a meeting with government officials.  It is part of an overall effort by representatives from the sector to secure an overall easing of restrictions.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland will press for further relaxation of restrictions in order to allow the industry to reopen more widely, according to CEO Adrian Cummins.  "Our main request will be the lifting of the curfew. The promise was of looking at it from September onwards, so now we're giving them lots of advance notice. We don't want another 11th hour decision," he said.