There should be no need for times limits on visits to pubs and restaurants given the success of the vaccine programme, according to Galway restaurateur JP McMahon.

Fáilte Ireland will today publish its guidelines for the return of indoor and outdoor hospitality.

The guidelines are expected to include one metre distances between tables and a six-person limit per table.

Last year’s €9 ‘substantial meal’ is to be scrapped; however, the one hour and 45 minutes time limit is expected to remain in place for indoor service.

On Lunchtime Live this afternoon, Galway chef and restaurateur JP McMahon said he was surprised at the decision.

“I had hoped the time limit wouldn’t be necessary this time around because we will have so many people vaccinated,” he said.

JP McMahon. image: Twitter

He said he may not be able to reopen his Michelin Star Aniar restaurant if the time limits remain and warned it is “absolutely essential” that any time limit rules only remain in place for a certain period after reopening.

“If we are welcoming back foreign tourists and yet we have a time limit of 105 minutes on our tables, I would be very concerned about some of our restaurants and how they are going to manage that,” he said.

“I really think the Government is lacking leadership at the moment in terms of coming out with straight statements.

“We have the hotels opening a month beforehand, I still can’t hire staff because I need a date and there doesn’t seem to be any scientific basis for the 1hr45m.

“I mean, is two hours not OK? Is two and a half? What are the reasons for these decisions?

“They are the questions I would be asking but I just don’t think there is leadership or political will at the moment to answer these questions.”

Aniar Restaurant in Galway. Image: Wiki

Also on the show, Joe Sheridan from Walsh’s Bar Dunmore, County Galway said the time limits simply won’t work in rural areas.

“This capping of 105 minutes, while it is suitable in high-footfall areas, it does not make sense for the 80% of public houses in rural Ireland,” he said.

“I am not being nasty about it but that is the essence of it. This rule is a carte blanche that doesn’t suit every style of business.

“To put one rule down that will affect everyone, you know, it will have a domino effect right down the smallest parts of how a business would be run.”

Drip-feeding

He said his business has now been closed since the very start of the pandemic – and criticised the drip-feeding of information on reopening from the Government.

“Even a small premises like this it takes about €25,000 to get it up and going with liquidity and everything and getting the bits and pieces done,” he said. “And this is the smallest end of the industry.

“Leaving people on a knife-edge is not fair; it is not good planning – it is not good business to be honest with you.”

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