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The CEO of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland has said today is a “pretty dark day” for the hospitality sector.
Representatives from a number of hospitality bodies have meet with the Taoiseach and Minister for Public Expenditure this morning.
It comes as the National Public Health Emergency Team recommends a number of fresh restrictions to their sector, including reduced capacity and an earlier closing time.
Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, VFI chief Padraig Cribben urged the Taoiseach on the need for clarity on supports for the sector.
He described December as a “very important” time for the sector which is typically “the equivalent of about three months of normal trading”.
“The trade which would normally be buoyant at this time of the year in the run up to Christmas, is really dead,” he said.
“We’re seeing all of the Christmas parties, functions being cancelled and the announcement that there’s a possibility of further restrictions is certainly leading to a high level of despair in the industry.”
The National Campaign for Arts is calling for restrictions not to be imposed on indoor cultural events, saying it will “devastate a sector already on its knees”.
The CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland said the meeting with Micheál Martin was “positive and constructive”.
However, Adrian Cummins added that no decisions were announced at the meeting.
“The hospitality sector’s concerns with regards to EWSS wage supplement scheme and a comprehensive support package, including a commercial rates waiver plus Covid Recovery Support Scheme for all hospitality businesses was discussed at length,” Mr Cummins said.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, Mr Cummins said they set out their concerns around the precarious position that hospitality is in at the moment.
“From a financial perspective, we believe that the Government will support us,” he added.
“We need to look at what is the level of support now that the Government will give to our industry.
“That’s where we need to work with Government around this.”
The Government had previously confirmed that hospitality businesses will be supported over the next number weeks, due to recognition that business has substantially declined.
Hotel occupancy is projected to dip to 13% in early 2022Chief Executive of the Irish Hotels Federation Tim Fenn has said that it is projected that .
Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, Mr Fenn said: “We’re looking forward to a very, very difficult time. Hotels see something in the order of 13% occupancy across January and February.” 13.24
Mr Fenn added: “The key issue around all of this is about our industry, surviving and restoring the 270,000 livelihoods that it supported before Covid as quickly as possible.” 13.22.38
He described talks with the Government this morning as positive.
“We had a very positive engagement with Taoiseach and Minister Michael McGrath and other Fianna TDs and senators this morning. 13.22.01
“They’re fully aware of the impact Covid-19 public health advice and restrictions are having on tourism and hospitality and I suppose up to now, the government’s strategy of supporting sectors most affected has worked, and we believe they will now reassess the ongoing supports needed and that’s the message that we felt we got this morning.”
In a statement, the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland said it expects an announcement on the issue of supports for staff shortly.
Also descripting talks as “constructive”, the VFI said the Government was committed to avoiding uncertainty.
“The Taoiseach said he understood the public health messaging that people should avoid socialising was having a hugely detrimental impact on the trade in what should be the busiest period of the year for pubs,” the statement read.
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