Regulations drawn up to allow pubs that have been closed during the pandemic to open again.
Pubs that do not serve food have been closed for six months due to social distancing restrictions introduced to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Village Inn in Slane is one of the many pubs that shut their doors six months ago.
The last time a pint was pulled here was on March 14th.
The Village Inn owner, Wayne Harding, is angry about the closure and says that pubs need help and to be open to do business.
The draft guidelines are broadly the same as the rules that apply to pubs where food is being served. A physical distance of at least one metre is required. Where a physical distance of two metres can be maintained, bookings and timelines will not be required. The guidelines also require pubs to have table service.
Drink will have to be brought to the table and no more than six people from three households will be allowed to sit together.
Padraig Cribben, Chief Executive of the Vintners' Federation of Ireland, says he received the 23 page draft document last Friday. While acknowledging that the document is a start, he says the guidelines are restrictive and make it difficult for pubs to trade viably.
Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne says the government wants to see pubs open again but only based on public health advice.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 6 September 2020. The reporter is Sinéad Hussey.
