A 'very small number' of publicans are flouting COVID-19 guidelines around reopening, according to a vinters' organisation.
The Vintners' Federation of Ireland says the guidelines should be enforced, as any publicans who ignore them are putting other businesses at risk.
Fáilte Ireland advice says customers are only allowed 105 minutes at a table, while the pubs allowed reopen must serve a 'substantial meal' worth €9.
However, concerns have been raised that some establishments are ignoring the advice.
Vintners' Federation of Ireland Chief Executive Padraig Cribben told Newstalk Breakfast that all publicans should follow the guidelines.
He explained: "We have been very clear, and we wrote to all of our members last week.
"We outlined the guidelines - that's what they are, guidelines - and we spelt out to all our members that these guidelines should be respected.
"Our understanding is that the vast majority of people are complying with them... [but] it would be wrong of me not to acknowledge that it would appear there are some - a very small number - who are not complying exactly with the guidelines.
"The public in these instances are not being cooperative either, and are flouting the guidelines because it takes two for that to happen... our view is that it shouldn't be happening."
Mr Cribben stressed he doesn't condone any such behaviour by pub owners, as it is putting the publicans' own business and other businesses at risk.
He said there are no regulations to police the guidelines, and that his organisation has always been of the view that all pubs should have been allowed open at the same time.
He suggested: "It was easy to foresee there would be a small number that might flout the guidelines. Government decided otherwise, and that's why you have an element of this.
"The gardaí say they don't have a role because these are guidelines. It is our view that the guidelines should be enforced."
However, he said his understanding is officials can intervene if the general return-to-work protocols are being breached.
He also noted that gardaí may be able to raise objections to the renewal of individual premises' licences in September if there have been issues.
