The head of the Restaurants Association of Ireland says some 50,000 people will lose their jobs, if the Government proceeds with elements of additional COVID-19 restrictions on Dublin.
The Cabinet is expected to approve moving the capital to level three of restrictions later on Friday, with some additional restrictions.
This is expected to include an extra measure such as a ban on indoor dining for restaurants.
Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, told Newstalk Breakfast the industry will not survive.
"This was out of the blue, this was a shock to our industry.
"The way that we received the information was through the media last night, and we've had no prior consultation with the Government with regard to what these restrictions will look like.
"Effectively our industry is reeling from this news at the moment.
"If the Cabinet sign off on this recommendation from NPHET, effectively our industry - hospitality - will go into lockdown as of midnight tonight if media reports are correct.
"This is an industry that has done the right thing, we're regulated, we've regulated and inspected environments - and the data shows that we're not the problem, the problem is in households".
Asked about nine outbreaks being attributed to restaurants, he said: "The facts are the facts... The Government seem to be starting at the bottom of the list and working its way up to the very, very top.
"And our industry, about 50,000 people will lose their jobs this evening if the Cabinet go ahead with this decision.
"Outdoor dining is not viable for our industry, we've tried it, we've done it during the last lockdown in April.
"Many, many small businesses will not recover from this announcement".
