Vintners call for fast-tracking of laws for vaccine passes to allow July 19 opening

The lobby group for pubs insists that if there is political will to ensure legislation is enacted to permit the reopening of indoor hospitality in time for July 19, then it can happen.

The Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) has been involved in high-level discussions with senior Government officials over the past week to find a path to allow pubs reopen for indoor trading. The discussions follow the postponement of the July 5 reopening.

Following today’s meeting, six reopening scenarios will be presented to Cabinet for a final decision on Tuesday, July 13.

While six options will be presented to Government, most of the discussions focused on devising a system that allows only vaccinated people and those recovered from Covid indoors. Hospitality representatives were informed that primary legislation and regulations will be required to allow pubs operate indoors in certain circumstances.

Vaccine pass

Padraig Cribben, VFI Chief Executive, says: “Our primary goal is to get our members reopened in a safe manner both for publicans, their staff and customers. If a so-called vaccine pass is what’s required then the onus is now on Government to get the legislation passed next week before the Oireachtas takes its summer break.

“There remains legal issues to be resolved but we remain insistent that pubs need to reopen on 19th July. If the political will is there to make it happen then it will happen.”