Hospitality Sector Reps. To Meet Tánasite Today On Delayed Re-Opening Of Indoor Dining.

When it does return, only fully vaccinated people or those who've recovered from Covid will have access.

Representatives from the hospitality sector will meet senior government ministers later over the decision to delay reopening indoor dining.

It was to resume next Monday but has been pushed back a number of weeks following NPHET advice.

When it does return, only fully vaccinated people or those who've recovered from Covid will have access.

President of the Restaurants Association, Mark McGowan, outlines what they'll be looking for at today's meeting:

The co-leader of the Social Democrats, Roisin Shortall, says yesterday's announcement was a hammer blow to bars and restaurants.

FACTCHECK: We've taken a look at the Covid restrictions across Europe and, yes, the vast majority of countries are allowing indoor dining at some level. https://t.co/J3BOH8rwi6

— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) June 29, 2021

NPHET has said there would be 2,000 deaths from the Delta variant over the next few months in a worst case scenario and 250 in an optimistic one.

Professor of Immunology at Maynooth University Paul Moynagh says their credibility is on the line.

The Tanaiste says a Covid pass could mean Ireland never has to enter another lockdown.

Leo Varadkar has been defending a controversial proposal to only allow fully vaccinated people dine indoors when it resumes, similar to other EU countries.

The proof for the vaccine scheme proposed by Government for indoor pubs and restaurants is problematic legally and raises questions over discrimination between customers, lawyers have said https://t.co/EFLgmzl3ZU

— The Irish Times (@IrishTimes) June 29, 2021

He accepts Ireland is the most conservative country in Europe with the ban on indoor dining.

But Leo Varadkar says a vaccine pass could mean no lockdown, if there was a fourth covid wave.

Yesterday we were told that there was no option but to go with NPHET advice & Government cannot and will not divert from it and today this...

Which is it? You cannot have it both ways... https://t.co/eYI6Rk1dU3

— Restaurants Association of Ireland (@RAI_ie) June 30, 2021

The Restaurants Association of Ireland says many of its members will open for indoor dining on July 19th - whether it's against the law or not.

Speaking on LMFM Radio this morning, it's President Mark McGowan said owners will be left with no choice:

The Taoiseach says he's open to looking at measures other than vaccination to allow the resumption of indoor dining.

Micheál Martin has been defending the Government's decision to delay the re-opening amid intense criticism within his own party.

Our Political Correspondent Seán Defoe reports:

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