A Dublin publican has expressed his frustration with the Government's approach to the hospitality sector, and queried whether public policy is now being decided on social media videos.
He's argued that it's 'becoming impossible' to run a business due to a lack of support and information.
Cabinet is tomorrow set to consider whether to ban takeaway pints from pubs while coronavirus restrictions remain in place.
It comes after reports and footage emerged over the weekend of crowds gathering and drinking on streets in Dublin and Cork.
David Chawke is the owner of The Bank on College Green in Dublin, one of many pubs which remains closed during the current lockdown and isn't serving takeaway drinks.
He told The Hard Shoulder that videos of large crowds in the city don't look good - but argued there seems to be attempts to 'scapegoat' and go after people based on social media posts.
Mr Chawke said: "I didn't watch the video, to be honest with you, as I'm sick and tired of watching these videos where it's constantly going after the hospitality industry.
"95% of pubs in Dublin are closed.
"Any publican that I've talked to that's opening... they're saying it's not busy, and they're just doing it to keep the lights on and pay their staff."
'Town is very quiet'
The publican said Dublin city is still quiet, and asked whether the Government is now using social media videos and reaction to decide on public policy.
He said: "Surely Micheál Martin has discussions with guards, councils, mayors or whoever else is trying to run cities, and knows exactly what is going on?
"Does he have to go on his social media and watch it after a Saturday night to realise what's happening?
"I've been in town... I've spoken to guards over the last six weeks, seven weeks. They've said town is very quiet and there's not a lot going on.
He argued that the 'vast, vast majority' of publicans and restaurateurs have behaved 'impeccably well'.
However, he argued they're not receiving the support they need.
He told Kieran: "We were told we were being supported by Government when it came to banks, insurance companies... that didn't happen.
"We're not being told whether we're allowed reopen again... we're told 'you'll have to wait'. How are we supposed to run our business? What are we supposed to tell our staff or creditors? This is becoming impossible."
