The Restaurants Association of Ireland is seeking permission from the High Court to challenge the law preventing its members from serving their customers indoors.

The lobby group, which represents 3,000 members, claims the distinction between indoor hotel dining and indoor dining in a restaurant is unfair.

As it stands, you can only dine outdoors in your favourite restaurant – if they have an outdoor space.

However, if you were to book a hotel stay, you would be able to eat in the hotel’s indoor restaurant.

Indoor dining at hotels and guest houses has been allowed for overnight guests for weeks now, but you won’t be allowed dine inside your local eatery until July 5th.

The Restaurant Association of Ireland is arguing that is unfair.

It claims the distinction is “discriminatory” and its members can’t understand why it’s OK to eat inside a hotel dining room but not inside their restaurants.

Papers have been lodged with the High Court, outlining why it should be allowed to challenge the laws.

The lobby group wants them set aside altogether and it is also seeking legal protection against any further attempts at shutting down the hospitality industry.