Representatives of the pub and restaurant sector say they have to work within NPHET parameters to re-open, but it's not where they want to be.

It comes as the Cabinet meets to sign off on the guidelines for the partial re-opening of indoor hospitality.

The time limits on eating indoors are set to be scrapped, while more emphasis will be put on ventilation of properties.

Premises will still have to close at 11.30pm, despite a push from the industry for later hours.

Padraig Cribben, CEO of the Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) told Newstalk Breakfast this is the best option they have.

"This is not ideal, this is challenging - this is not where we want to be, but it is the reality of what we need to do to get opened and to trade again.

"At this time of the year in certain parts of the country, if they don't operate at this time of the year - because they're depending on the tourism option - they're not going to survive the winter coming.

"There are challenges, there are additional costs involved with what we're going to have to do but so be it."

And he says the measures, including the 11.30pm curfew, will not be around too long.

"It is for a relatively short period of time and it is one of the factors that's there to get open.

"To a certain extent, it's a little bit of a Hobson's choice - it's this or you stay closed until September/October".

On plans for pubs to use an app or QR reader to verify customer's vaccination status, he says this could be ready by the end of the week.

"We believe the app will be ready by the end of the week - we're told it will be available from Gov.ie

"But... there are areas of the country where broadband is not sufficiently strong to take these kind of devices.

"There will be some operators who may not be digitally aware enough - not alone will there be the digital option, there will also be a paper-based option as well".

Head of the Restaurants' Association of Ireland, Adrian Cummins, says this is what is necessary.

"We have to work within NPHET parameters and recommendations to the Government, it's not where we want to be.

"But we must work within those in order to get businesses back open.

"Obviously this will be within a short time period, because there is a sunset clause within the legislation.

"So it will add extra work to businesses, but we are moving in the right direction.

"The key date now is next Monday to get indoor hospitality re-opened.

"And we need to get to see those guidelines in print format, distributed to businesses as soon as possible because the time is ticking".