With only a week to go before all Irish pubs are allowed to re-open, the government has been criticised for not publishing the guidelines they need to be able to pull the shutters up on July 20.
Branding the situation as "ridiculous", Limerick's excellent bar and gig venue, Pharmacia, says: "We’d accept not being able to open if it’s in the public’s best interests but we need to know so we can order stock and make sure systems and staff are ready."
Their near neighbours Mother Mac's reflect that, "The stress is very visible" among staff members who don't know for sure whether they'll be back working.
The owners of historic Swinford, Mayo pub, Mellett's Emporium, add: "Trying to stay positive but it feels like Micheál Martin has zero respect for our trade."
"It's beyond a joke at this stage," fume The King's Inn in Dalkey.
The dilemmas involved are further highlighted by Drogheda's Market Bar who ponder: "Do we reemploy staff, order stock, buy PPE etc. etc.?"
With the government silence deafening, that most bohemian of Dublin 2 bars, Grogan's, has unilaterally decided this afternoon to push back its reopening.
"It is extremely disheartening to see how pubs have been treated in this regard," they say. "As a result, we're sorry to announce we must postpone our reopening until 27th July at the earliest. Sorry folks.
"If public health grounds dictate that it is not safe for us to open just yet, we completely understand and accept that," they add, "but the very least that should be expected is that we're given fair notice if this is the case. The lack of information is extremely unfair on an industry that is already on its knees."
"Pubs are in an awful situation," the Vintners Federation of Ireland agrees. "Micheál O'Martin needs to end the uncertainty now.
"The delay is also causing anxiety in some rural communities," they continue, "with many of these unopened pubs serving as the only gathering locations or hospitality venues in their area."
Echoing those sentiments, their Licensed Vintners Association colleagues say: "Only one week until pubs are due to reopen. Still no guidelines. These are urgently required for pubs, for their staff and for their customers. The silence is deafening and creating real concern and frustration in the industry."
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It’s Monday 13th July, James & Mike are deep in conversation. Two main topics this morning:
1. Stock required to reopen next week
2. Are we allowed to reopen next week

The stress is very visible. @MichealMartinTD Is it fair to be putting them & the team under this stress? pic.twitter.com/1HWt4oOmcn

— Mother Macs (@mothermacspub) July 13, 2020

@LeoVaradkar @MichealMartinTD @VFIpubs @LVADublinPubs Remember Us the 1st sector to CLOSE people 😢Can you please meet us half way PLEASE tell us WHAT is going on ? One way or the other are we reopening ?Do we reemploy Staff Order Stock Buy PPE Etc Etc WHAT come on lads HELP ‼️

— Market Bar Drogheda (@nugentsbar) July 12, 2020

@MichealMartinTD Micheal, for me and every other non food serving bar owner in the country, would it be possible you and your government to give us clarity on whether we can open on the 20th or not. The silence is deafening

— Stephen (@SrockStephen) July 13, 2020

Now let us know tomorrow that we can all open for 20th. There's stock to be ordered and staff to notify along with with the dozens of others pre opening jobs... https://t.co/koaNeQveVZ

— Gillian Knight (@Kala_Management) July 12, 2020

Problem at present @godanicusmusic is that we are less than a week away and still no guidelines or confirmation that we can actually open. No one wants to put financial gain before health but the way the trade has been treated is disgraceful. We are all very much in the dark.

— Bren Kelly (@BrenKelly3) July 13, 2020