Tanaiste 'can't put a date' on when 'wet pubs' will reopen as €16m support package announced

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said he "can't put a date" on when 'wet' pubs will be allowed reopen as a new Government support package worth €16m for pubs, bars and restaurants has been announced.

The new funding includes a restart grant and a 40 per cent top up for businesses remaining closed.  Businesses can now receive a minimum of €5,600 and a maximum of €35,000 under the grant for additional expenses and preparations for reopening when they are allowed to do so.

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​A waiver of court fees and associated excise and stamp duties relating to the renewal of pub and other liquor licences this year, and excise duty on on-trade liquor licences on renewal in 2020 has also been introduced.

Speaking at a briefing this evening, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said he "can't put a date" on when 'wet' pubs will be allowed reopen.

He said the National Public Health and Emergency team (Nphet) is working with government on protocols "that might allow for the reopening of pubs into the future, if the virus starts going the right direction again."

"But I can't put a date on that at the moment," he added.

"Ireland is the only country in Europe where wet pubs are fully closed. In most countries. They are open with some restriction and we're examining exactly where that can be done and we're building on, I think, a very good compliance from the restaurants sector where we've only seen one significant cluster out of very many.

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