A NUMBER of publicans have launched a billboard campaign putting pressure on the Irish Government to allow the reopening of pubs.
As things currently stand, only bars which serve a substantial meal costing at least €9 are allowed to open, with 'wet pubs' having been closed for almost six months.
As the months passed, many publicans have grown frustrated with ths decision to keep their businesses closed, and now a group of Monaghan-based businesses are calling for things to change.
'Monaghan Publicans for Common Sense' launched a billboard campaign which depicts an image of the Taoiseach and Tánaiste alongside a map which they say highlights "the fact that pubs remain closed in Ireland when they are open in the rest of Europe".
According to RTÉ, the campaign was launched in Merrion Street, Dublin earlier this week, with just five publicans representing the campaign present due to social distancing measures.
"Monaghan Publicans For Common Sense"
Thanks to the pic senderPosted by Irish Political Ephemera on Thursday, 3 September 2020
Brian Reneghan, owner of the Horse Shoe Bar in Clontibret, addressed those in attendance by stating:
"For months pub owners across Ireland have borne the costs of this pandemic, and we have done so largely without public complaint. But that ends today.
"Across Europe, the pubs are open. Pubs in Northern Ireland can serve outdoors.
"As publicans in the border counties, we have to observe the ludicrous situation where we watch our life's work slowly slide into bankruptcy while our customers go across the border to Crossmaglen or Aughnacloy for a pint."
Another speaker, Noel McNally of McNally's bar in Carrickmacross, said it was unfair for other businesses, including off-licenses, to remain open while small-town rural pubs are forced to remain closed.
Stating they were calling "for basic common sense", Mr McNally said "if schools can open... and off-licenses can open, and if the Government can talk about bringing back concerts, then small-town pubs can reopen.
"The Government seems willing to trust everyone else in the country, except for pub owners and their customers.
"We've had enough."
The five publicans met with the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, to voice their concerns following a press briefing in Dublin earlier this week.
'Wet pubs' are calling on the government to give them a chance to prove they can reopen and follow all the safety measures. (Photo by Paul Faith / AFP) (Photo by PAUL FAITH/AFP via Getty Images)Restaurants and pubs which serve food are also unhappy with new rules which have been introduced which state that businesses must retain a record of what every customer ate and drank, as well as the time of their arrival and departure.
Gardaí will be performing checks on businesses and have been given powers to shut down any premises which regularly breach public health measures.
Publicans, restaurateurs and even Fianna Fáil politicians have condemned the move, with some comparing it to George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984.
