Publicans demand confirmation that indoor trading will begin on July 1

Although the VFI has welcomed the reopening of pubs for outdoor trading on June 7, it claims that for the vast majority of its members running an outdoor-only business is not sustainable.

Publicans have demanded the government announce that indoor trading can begin again on July 1 in line with the vaccine plan.

The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) says that date provides for up to another five full weeks to complete the vaccine rollout. There is speculation that Taoiseach Micheál Martin could announce on Friday that pubs and restaurants will re-open in the first week of July.