The Government has defended the temporary measure requiring restaurants and and pubs serving food to retain records of all food orders for 28 days.
It comes after publicans and restaurateurs reacted angrily to the announcement yesterday.
Minister of State at the Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation Damien English said the regulation is being put in place to protect people and to ensure a level playing field.
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland described the new rule as “crazy” and asked why the Government thinks this law will help in the fight against Covid-19.
The statutory instrument also includes the extension of closing time for pubs to 11.30pm.
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Mr English acknowledged that the new rules would mean more paperwork for publicans, but said it was not about what a person ate, but was rather “proof that they did eat”.
“This is to enable public health teams as well as the gardaí to monitor compliance with the regulations.”
The minister said this was to protect people, help reopen businesses and “ensure a level playing field”.
Gardaí/HSE can see your eating/drink records for 28 days under these new regulations by Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly: pic.twitter.com/2XY6KYO82U
— Fergal Bowers (@FergalBowers) September 3, 2020
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