Ireland has been the area of greatest sales decline for the group, due to the longest duration of lockdowns, said JD Wetherspoon founder Tim Martin.

All Bar One's owner, Mitchells & Butlers, struck the deal to insure all members in its executive pension plan

New restrictions see many well-known venues shut up shop for the foreseeable future

Ministers will meet to discuss the proposals this afternoon

The ESRI survey, which analyses behaviour and attitudes around Covid-19 every two weeks, also found the number of people choosing to dine indoors has increased since early October

The Government has announced an end to guest restrictions at weddings and the return of nightclubs and normal pub trading hours

The final decision on the lifting of restrictions will be made by Cabinet on Tuesday

Some 37 pubs have shut in Cork, with 33 in Dublin closing their doors too, as lobby groups say restrictions must be lifted before more shut for good

Pressure on pub managers and staff has been particularly acute and some areas of the country "have found it hard to attract staff".

Horseracing tycoons John Magnier and JP McManus jointly own more than 23% of Mitchells & Butlers, which owns chains such as O’Neill’s, All Bar One and Harvester

Sales in western Europe were driven by hot weather in June, combined with the European soccer championship and the reopening of bars and restaurants after Covid lockdowns.

We've embraced outdoor dining like never before. Joe McNamee rounds up some of the best to visit this summer

Local authorities have granted licensed premises permission to set up seating areas on streets in order to facilitate the new 'outdoor summer'

Pressure on Government to make decision this week on July 5 reopening as fears grow over Delta variant

All outdoor hospitality will reopen today, while small crowds of up to 100 people can attend live sporting events, rising to 200 at venues with a capacity of 5,000 or greater. Gyms, swimming pools and cinemas will also open their doors to the public for the first time in six months.

As part of the easing of Covid restrictions, pubs across the country can reopen offering an outdoor service. Indoor drinking and dining is not scheduled to resume until July 5

“We’re nervous but excited,” said Mr Barden. “It’s been a long 15 months being closed, coming into the pub and no one being here is just a weird experience."

"What sets Irish pubs apart is not trad music or old High Nellies hanging from the ceiling. It’s comfortable seats and the right lighting. Or lack of it."

A mixture of excitement, unease and exasperation is palpable among sectors such as pubs, restaurants and gyms which have been given the green light to reopen

Pub bosses in the North have hailed a “fantastic day” as customers were allowed to return indoors for the first time this year.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar told publicans he was 'very much' encouraging city councils and county councils to use the outdoor space

Publicans' groups call for clarity on when indoor service can resume, warning the longer pubs are closed to indoor service, the more businesses will fail

The Restaurants Association of Ireland said hospitality businesses, particularly restaurants, pubs and bars, face a challenge in getting staff back after Covid restrictions end

Hundreds of people flocked to their local pub gardens to have a celebratory pint to mark the restrictions easing

Traditional pubs in the capital have been closed since March 15 last year

Neil McDonnell, chief executive of business group Isme, said there has been “real frustration” over the continued restrictions for non-essential retail

The closure of the hospitality sector for the bulk of 2020 resulted in a 17% drop in beer sales – which are predominantly on-trade reliant – last year

Publicans's groups have also called on the Government to set out the percentage of the population that would have to be vaccinated before they can start trading again

Irish pubs have endured one of the longest shutdowns in Europe

There was virtually zero purchase interest in rural pubs last year with 'no notable sales' recorded in Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford or Kilkenny

Irish investors JP McManus and John Magnier are backing plans for a £350m (€400m) sale of shares by struggling UK pubs group Mitchells and Butlers (M&B), as they aim to get its Covid-shuttered 1,600 outlets through the crisis and reopened under ...

It is always cheering when a David beats a Goliath

With warnings that the FBD court ruling could be the insurance industry's very own tracker mortgage scandal, the test cases could end up saving the pub trade

Insurer has said it will pay all valid insurance claims and has begun to process claims amid estimates overall Covid payout bill facing insurance sector could reach €20bn

'If summonsed people turn up, tell them to go away,' Judge David Waters advised solicitors, adding that if the public appeared he would 'bark'.

Government rejects call to restrict inter-county travel before New Year's Day

Christmas mass on Zoom; agnostic, atheist, or lapsed follower of faith, there will be no in-person rendition of 'Silent Night' or the spine-tingling witnessing of a singer reach the dizzyingly high notes of 'O Holy Night'.

The Taoiseach expects the US President-elect to visit Ireland as soon as possible and said Mr Biden was keen on upholding the Good Friday Agreement.

Publicans said because staff were working longer hours to ensure their venues could operate under level 3 restrictions, many have decided to give them the day off.

Pubs offering takeaway drinks should also consider closing if large groups gather outside their premises, senior officials have said

Shane Lowney made the decision not to reopen Scannell's due to size and safety concerns but says he is not entitled to government support

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has told the Cabinet he wants the country to move to Level 3 restrictions next week.

All retail outlets open, family visits and religious services permitted if Covid-transmissions drop sufficiently within next week or so

Auctioneer says there is now a ready market for pub licences which are being snapped up