Restaurateurs and vintners criticise decision to keep hospitality sector closed
"Any announcement about prolonged closures need to be accompanied by plans for increased supports," the VFI wrote on Twitter. File Picture: Eddie O'Hare
Restaurateurs and vintners have said the Government’s plan to keep pubs and restaurants closed until mid-summer will bring the country’s hospitality industry "closer to financial ruin and meltdown".
Industry representatives have been reacting to comments made by Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Saturday afternoon when he said that he didn't foresee hospitality recommencing "before the middle of summer."
Speaking to , the Taoiseach said health authorities had been saying that the country should "stick with this until the end of April".
"Then we can reflect on the situation and make decisions about the months ahead," he said.
“There won’t be much of a change [after this phase] because the numbers are still too high."
The Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) said the Taoiseach's remarks were "far too casual."
Far too casual from @MichealMartinTD Any announcement about prolonged closures need to be accompanied by plans for increased supports. Today's news impacts over 200,000 families. Need more from An Taoiseach https://t.co/IEGbdC3uBJ
— VFI (@VFIpubs) February 20, 2021
"Any announcement about prolonged closures need to be accompanied by plans for increased supports," the VFI wrote on Twitter.
"Today's news impacts over 200,000 families. Need more from An Taoiseach," it added.
CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland Adrian Cummins also criticised the Government's stance.
In a statement, Mr Cummins called for business supports to be increased for all restaurant and hospitality businesses "in order for the survival of the sector and remain ready to reemploy hundreds of thousands of tourism and hospitality workers currently on the PUP payment".
"The Government now needs to set out clearly what level/percentage of the population that will be required to be vaccinated in order to fully reopen all hospitality businesses," he said.
He said the current level of support "would not keep vast majority of businesses afloat until the summer."
In a tweet, Mr Cummins shared a text message he had received from an RAI member: “Adrian, my business is about to collapse, my landlord is demanding full rent while I’m closed.
Text from a Restaurants Association of Ireland member today
— Adrian Cummins 🇮🇪🇪🇺🇵🇸 (@adriancummins) February 20, 2021
“Adrian, my business is about to collapse, my landlord is demanding full rent while I’m closed. The payment from the Government only covers half my fixed costs - I’ve used up all my savings. Please do what you can”
"The payment from the Government only covers half my fixed costs – I’ve used up all my savings. Please do what you can.”
Also reacting on Twitter, award-winning chef from Sage Midleton restaurant in Cork Kevin Ahern said that, for the first time in 20 years, he wasn't sure he wanted a restaurant anymore.
Makes me sad to say but for the first time in 20 years not sure I want a restaurant anymore . I’m sure I’m not alone tonight.
— Kev Aherne (@KevAherneSage) February 20, 2021
"I’m sure I’m not alone tonight," he wrote.
Explaining the Government's position, the Taoiseach said the biggest challenge the country now faced was the new Covid-19 variants, given the way they could impact on the vaccines currently being given to the public.
"It’s sensible to open slowly, as the vaccines are coming,” he said.
