Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
HEALTH MINISTER SIMON HARRIS has said the new emergency legislation gives him the power “shut down events and places” such as pubs who refuse to comply with the Covid-19 restrictions.
Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins raised the issue with the minister yesterday, stating that some pubs have refused to closed despite the majority shutting down this week.
“In my constituency however, and in other parts of the State, some pubs have continued to trade. This is shocking and alarming, and local communities are outraged by this,” he said.
He called for a written directive or a ministerial order ensuring that all pubs do close be issued once the legislation is signed into law this weekend.
“We are aware that 99% of pubs have closed but others have gone rogue on us, unfortunately,” he said.
He also highlighted an insurance anomaly whereby publicans now have an issue trying to step away from the liability.
“The companies are getting into a stand-off situation with the policy holders by saying that the directive was a verbal one and is non-binding. The pub trade needs a written directive or a written order from the minister or from the Government,” he said.
Fianna Fáil’s Thomas Byrne said he also had concerns, stating that he got reports of house parties on St Patrick’s Day.
The reaction of the constituents who contacted me about those parties was one of utter fear and trepidation as to what might be the results. Those constituents are not party poopers, they are simply afraid. They are doing their bit, as is 99% of the population, and they want to make sure everybody else does their bit,” he said.
Harris said the Vintners Federation of Ireland “behaved highly responsibly”, he said.
He added that there is an obligation on businesses that cannot comply with social distancing to do the responsible thing and close the businesses for a temporary period.
“The severity of that is not lost on me. It meant 7,000 public houses closed and 50,000 people temporarily lost their jobs. However, they are doing it for the public good. I certainly hope that when this country bounces back – we will get through this – people will support the responsible businesses which have done this.
He said once the legislation passes, he will hold the power to ensure pubs close.
Speaking in the Seanad today, Harris warned people not to socialise this weekend and insisted social distancing will save thousands of lives.
“Doctors will save hundreds of lives during this crisis but the people of Ireland can save thousands.
“This is not a weekend for socialising. We must tell children this is not like the summer holidays so they should not gather in large groups.
“As we come into the weekend, have a conversation with your partner and family and ask them are there ways we can go for a walk and social distance?
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Name and shame these pubs and their owners.
@M: It’s the gangs of youths hanging around outside dart stations and shops that now need to be confronted by the Garda.
@Joe Johnson: little they can do yet without backing of legislation.
@M: and make sure we remember them afterwards…remember to not go there. Treat them like collaborators with the invading enemy
@Joe Johnson: curfews are what’s needed. No one under 18 except delivery and front line staff need to be out after 6pm.
@Joe Johnson: no it’s their parents that need to parent them
@Bleurgh: I’d say their parents are probably scared of their own kids, although the threat of a night stick across the back of their legs should change their behaviour.
@Joe Johnson: lock down now !
@Bleurgh: bang on
@M: I know of 4 of them in my area. Trading yesterday via the backdoor
@M: and do not renew their licences..
Why didn’t Collins name these pubs? Some backbone needs to be shown and those pubs should have been called out
@dublindamo: maybe he does’nt know who the rogue publicans are.
@john gavin: A he does – 2 in the middle of his constituency. Culture Boss.
@john gavin: he 100% does, all in rathkeale!
@dublindamo: needs to be in the Dail before he would dare naming and shaming
Also probably afraid of alienating some of the punters drinking in the pubs
@Oscar Wilde: you are probably right. Might do it under Dail privilege. They will look back at this in time and say maybe I could have been braver and stepped up
Revoke their licenses. Give them heavy fines.
@Seán Ó Briain: The Superintendent in Waterford has publicly stated that any pub found open will face objections when the licences come up for renewal. I’d say he’s not alone in that thinking.
@Joe Bloggs: Until emergency legislation is in place they have broken no law! This was a blooper by Leo/government assuming ALL pub’s would follow a (request) to close during a crisis.
Just fine them 25k like they are doing here in Toronto !!! That’ll stop it.
@Aidan Forde: another issue is pubs that closed but are secretly allowing people in side or back doors.
@Vinnie Cooney: heard this is happening in my local! Hope something is done about it
@Vinnie Cooney: where’s this happening? Asking for a friend.
@Aidan Forde: ah no judge. I can’t afford the fine. Il give ya a euro a week.. Take their licences away.
Mad that we freak out about pubs not closing yet walk into any major coffee shop and it’s packed. Irish people are deluded
@John Macken:
The irresponsible fools think they are wayyy too important for this virus malarkey.
They couldn’t give a hoot that they are actually signing a death sentence to their elderly and compromised.
@John Macken: coffee shops that follow HSE guidelines of social distancing , disinfecting the area, and only operating as a kiosk 1 in 1 out . Use contactless payments, non-reusable cups, hand lids out separately and take other stringent measures should be able to stay open for now. I guess you’re probably referring to the coffee shop in Dalkey today that had the angry Citizen yelling like a fool outside it keeping their doors open. Doing the rounds on Whatsapp. Although he was correct if they were operating like he say, he was acting a clown trying to police it.
@John Macken: see that’s the problem only lunatics walk into a packed coffee shop or can you not get the news in your area
Take there public licence of them end of
Very simple solution. Revoke the pub licence! Irrevocably. 100% compliance!!
Definitely should have been named and shamed. Also the licenses have to be renewed so it needs to be recorded in a public forum, so people are aware. Scandalous stuff from the rogue Publicans.
All too common in Ireland, Wealth before Health.
Where are these pubs located?.. asking for a friend!
@Hello DAVE!: I believe they are in west limerick, in a town that used to pray to a tree..
@Hello DAVE!: We need to find out where these pub’s are so they can be shut immediately……
@Noel Doherty: in Rathkeale
We should copy the UKs remuneration of staff in pubs and restaurants (when we close them). Its excellent policy and we can learn from it and implement it immediately and retrospectively. Just do it.
@Imagine !: …i guess imagine owns a pub!!
@Owen Mc Carthy: Jasus no. I just understand the difficulties that bar staff are facing.
There needs to be legislation brought in stating if a pub refuses to close it permanently losses its license. End of.
If a pub can’t prioritise the country in this situation how can they be even trusted to properly and legally sell drink?
@Barry: Licensing (Ireland) Act 1833 Section 4. It shall and may be lawful for any justice of the peace of said city, town, or county, churchwarden or other inhabitant of said parish previously to transmit or then and there to deliver in writing to said clerk of the peace, or orally to state to said justices in sessions assembled, any matter or objection to such application, whether grounded upon the character, misconduct, or unfitness of the applicant, unfitness or inconvenience of the house or place, or number of previously licensed houses in the neighbourhood; and if any such objection shall be so transmitted or made, an entry thereof shall then be recorded by the clerk of the peace; and the justices in such sessions assembled shall then, or at some other convenient time to be appointed, proceed to consider, examine into, and adjudicate upon the truth, sufficiency, and validity of such objection, and for that purpose to examine on oath such applicant or other person as they may deem fit; and if such justices shall be thereupon satisfied of the truth and sufficiency of such objection, and shall deem it improper to intrust such applicant with a licence for such house, they shall, by order in writing to be duly entered by the clerk of the peace, prohibit such licence to be issued, and therein declare the reason or ground of such prohibition.
@Pat Coyne: But if the emergency legislation is introduce the Gardai can object to a licence renewal on the grounds of law breaking i.e. (far more weight for revoking a licence than simply not following a request from the vintners federation & government).
@Daniel Kelly: The Licensing (Ireland) Act 1833 Section 4.
Its been the same law since 1833 because it works; therefore, there has never been a need to change it.
Take their licences away and isolate the ignorant gits that seem to think they are too important for the virus to infect.
Not only name and shame but take there license away from them for ever disgraceful behaviour
The public should boycott these premises when they reopen. also when the licence comes up for renewal in september it should be refused.
@alphasully: General public don’t frequent these pubs , boss.
Under current laws already in place the garda have the power to close a licensed premises if they decide it constitutes a risk to the health and safety to others.
@barry moore: Supposedly they also have the power to detain someone under the mental health act but don’t as their career’s are more important! No sane Garda is going to sabotage their career by going after a pub over health and safety. The government need to get emergency legislation through that means pub’s are breaking the law by opening for this to work as a reason for revoking a licence…..
These selfish greedy publicans need to be named
How about a law that shuts down banks that are happy to sit back and watch the country burn. We are making a grave error placing our smes and peoples future in the hands of the banks. Surely revenue are a better vehicle to deliver credit and financial aid. I have been trying to secure energency business credit from boi since early last week. They are only interested in the perception of helping. Their twitter pages are publically humming with the perception of help responding immediately with band aid responses to social media queries yet their phone lines are practically unmanned and now closed until monday. I’ve made the same application 3 times in 10 days and the only response from the bank.. have you checked your spam? We are fools to trust these sociopath bankers again. Take this out of their hands.
They pubs are closed already thanks to Ross and now his closed good riddance to Shane..
@John O Donoghue: here we go. Ross closed the pubs did he? No. He didn’t. Most rural pubs suffered badly due to the crash in 2008-onwards. All Ross and the government did was make it harder to have a drink and drive. Which is a fantastic thing. You wouldn’t be spouting such rubbish if one of your friends or family were hit/killed or injured by a drink driver.
I don’t believe that pubs are still operating. If they were it would be common knowledge.
@Declan Edward: there are one or two in rural areas having lock ins
@Paul O’Sullivan: which ones?
@Declan Edward: in fairness, it’s not as though every pub in the country is closed. There’ll always be exceptions.
Restaurants and cafés still open though
@minister for emos: Yes thats a big problem. The UK are ahead of us on that. Mothers day dinners will lead to a greater spread.
Bigger issue with scrotes coughing and spitting at people down here in Limerick. I think they are mistaken if they think people who are virtually quarantined are going to have the patience for this carry on. I’m extremely tetchy at the moment and in such circumstances I won’t ask questions.
The government will have some serious powers after this is over
@Pj Browne: until November.
When this is all over, everyone should remember who put people before profit, profit before people and others before themselves.
Shut them immediately not tomorrow but now..
2020/2021 should be promoted StayCation/Buy Irish season in Ireland when we come out of this dilemma. This will continue the amazing solidarity already being shown by virtually everyone on this Island, North and South. We can pump our discretionary income into our hotels, restaurants, hospitality sector and obviously the local businesses who are all under extreme financial stress ( to say the least) at this time.
Abbeyfeale pubs
Where are these pubs? I’m gagging for a pint.
Large fines is the answer, take the profits they are making off them. Problem is it will takes months to go through the courts unless you let cops do on the spot fines.
Have sports clubs closed their bars ?
I have heard that Golf clubs are still open .
Good!
have your say