Minister hints at return of outdoor dining as early as next month

Minister Simon Harris has hinted that a return of outdoor dining could arrive as early as next month as the Government plans the next easing of restrictions.

It is expected that hairdressers and non-essential retail could reopen in May and, according to Simon Harris, outdoor dining could be on the agenda a lot sooner than expected. Last week, An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar suggested that outdoor hospitality could return in June but Harris said today that there could be “the potential for more” than has been indicated for May.

When pressed by the Irish Mirror on whether that meant a return of outdoor dining, the Minister agreed, saying he had seen ‘safe outdoor activity in his own constituency, Wicklow, this weekend.’

He added: “things like outdoor dining and the likes. I’m not in a position to give a definitive view, but I think we need to start answering those questions next week.”

It is expected that at An Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s next national address, he will lay out a path for the months of May, June and July, giving hope to businesses who wish to plan how they will be operating this summer.

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