Official Government Level 5 regulations are that wet pubs remain closed and that bars serving food can offer âtakeaway food and delivery onlyâ.
The VFI spokesman said the Taoiseach, by his remarks, âwill have caused a lot of confusion which we will have to clear up with our membersâ.
Still, the issue is not significant outside the capital where less than 20 per cent of pubs had been availing of off-premises trade by late last year.
The notion of prohibiting takeaway pints is not new. Last November the Government moved to do just that following outrage at the emergence of online footage of large crowds engaging in on-street drinking. However, the Attorney General advised it would be easier to outlaw the consumption of the alcohol than its sale.