Publicans criticise Government's 'yo-yo' instructions to hospitality sector

'We have lost a lot of great people in this industry because of the lockdown,' says one publican.

Benny McCabe, proprietor, outside Arthur Mayne's, Pembroke St, Cork. Picture: Denis Minihane

“An existential threat” is how one Cork publican described the Government’s “yo-yo” instructions to hospitality businesses which look set to face restrictions again from December 30.

Cork publican and brewer Benny McCabe said he and thousands of other businesses felt forced by the State to reopen against their will in December when Revenue refused to process grant payments if a business had a kitchen but remained closed.