Restaurants Association challenges 'irrational' Covid regulations over indoor dining

The regulations effectively confer on hotels the right to operate sanitary facilities for their patrons but not on restaurants, the court also heard

The Boxty House, Esquires Coffee Houses Ltd and Sarsfield Taverns Ltd are questioning the regulations permitting indoor dining within hotels while preventing indoor dining in non-hotel commercial restaurants. File photo: Damian Coleman

A bid by the Restaurants Association of Ireland and three restaurants, including Boxty House in Dublin’s Temple Bar, to challenge “irrational” regulations permitting indoor dining within hotels while preventing indoor dining in non-hotel commercial restaurants has been adjourned by the High Court to next month.

Mr Justice Charles Meenan yesterday, having noted the government intends the regulations will be lifted on July 5 if the Covid-19 situation permits, directed the application for leave to bring the judicial review challenge over the regulations should be made on notice to the Minster for Health.