The government has moved to reassure restaurants and pubs that new Covid rules will not add another layer of bureaucracy.
While the regulations, published yesterday by Fáilte Ireland, have led to confusion.
So that's over the level of detail they need to retain about their customers.
However the measure is designed to provide proof that a 'substantial meal' was purchased alongside alcohol.
A few pub owners have been having their say on social media regarding the new rules directing pubs to retain records of food served
The owners of Kavanagh’s Pub and The White Moose Cafe in Dublin both say they’ll not be retaining records of what customers eat pic.twitter.com/9TpncfwsOG— Barry Whyte (@BarryWhyte85) September 4, 2020
Pub And Restaurant Owners Say It's Too Far
Publicans and restaurateurs have branded the new rule as an administrative nightmare and a step too far.
They will have to keep a record of what was ordered by customers for a period of 28 days.
Following the intense backlash, Minister Simon Harris moved to clarify the expectation.
"It's about keeping a receipt, it was being made sound like you were nearly going to have to keep a copy of what every individual ate."
'The Government doesn't care if you ordered the banoffee', @SimonHarrisTD tells @BreakfastNT #BKNT pic.twitter.com/lMjaZN6mSv
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) September 4, 2020
MacSharry Says Otherwise
But Fianna Fáil's Mark MacSharry claims that is precisely what the legislation calls for.
"To make a record of the substantial meal or meals ordered by a party of persons, and each sole person granted access to the premises."
Marcs comments are blunt - but he is 100% correct - only for his intervention, this issue would sail on by and struggling businesses would have to put up and shut up
— Adrian Cummins (@adriancummins) September 3, 2020
"Inappropriate" Level Of Detail Needed
Elizabeth Farries (PRON Ferris) from the Irish Council for Civil Liberties says the level of detail required amounts to police surveillance.
"What time they're there."
"If there's a name, a number and if the person is alone."
"Do we need to know what their substantial meals were?"
Finally, publicans have contacted the Data Protection Commissioner to urgently review the new rule.
