Restaurants 'want cash in their hands' from State to prepare outdoor summer offering 

Claire Nash, owner of Nash 19, who was among those who pioneered the Eat on the Street initiative on Cork City’s Princes St last year. Photo: Denis Minihane

Restaurants and pubs that serve food need grant-aid to help them prepare for a summer of outdoor dining.

The call came from Adrian Cummins, the CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, who also said the State must devise a co-ordinated and streamlined system for the sector to engage with local authorities, with minimal red-tape, so that businesses can set up outdoor dining spaces quickly and efficiently.