The government's being urged to find a resolution after it emerged it's illegal for pubs and restaurants to serve alcohol in many outdoors seating areas.
Gardai say drinking alcohol in temporary outdoor locations isn't allowed if they don't have a licence.
The force says these businesses can only sell food or drinks on a takeaway basis or for consumption off the premises.
Welcome statement from @gardainfo that it is working to ensure we can enjoy an outdoor summer and that the vast majority of licensed premises are acting responsibly. @gardainfo will engage with licensed premises and will use their discretion, as they have done throughout Covid
— Heather Humphreys (@HHumphreysFG) June 20, 2021
"We want the Government now to step-in," says Adrian Cummins, the Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland.
"To give an order so that outdoor hospitality can operate, right across the country in a provision that allows businesses to provide alcohol for those that are having food, or a sociable drink in an outdoor area.
"This has to be fixed as soon as possible, or else the Government now needs to fast-forward the re-opening of indoor dining."
In a statement last night, Gardaí said:
"Licenses to sell alcohol are issued by the District Court. The application for a licence to sell alcohol is accompanied by the lodgement of inter alia a site plan highlighting the specified area to which the licence will apply. The licensee is licensed to sell intoxicating liquor to a person to consume the alcohol within that highlighted area only, any other sales are on a take away basis only.
The management of local public spaces is primarily a matter for the relevant local authority.
Local authorities may provide permission for additional seating space outside of licenced premises, but these spaces are not covered for the consumption of alcohol by the licence issued by the District Court."
