Legal Challenge – Indoor Dining Equality

Today a member of the Restaurants Association of Ireland has issued a notice to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and the Chief State Solicitor’s Office of an intention to issue a legal challenge regarding: “Unfair restriction of trade in a commercial premises and The Health (Preservation and Protection and Other Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 and Ministerial Regulation”. 

This follows the Government announcement on Thursday 29th April last week that Accommodation services (hotels, B&Bs, self-catering and hostels) can reopen from 2nd June 2021 providing services (including indoor dining) to guests. Announcement Here

The above announcement will involve the Minister for Health issuing a Statutory Instrument / Regulation shortly legislating for this. Once that legislation is published the legal challenge will begin.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland completely support the challenge by this longtime member of the Association and will update members on the progress as the legal challenge begins in the coming days.

Our ask as an Association for our members;  Restaurants, Cafés and Gastropubs and the wider Hospitality Sector is simple, Indoor Dining Equality!