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Poll: Should pubs be allowed to reopen at the same time as cafés and restaurants?

There’s been a lot of concern from publicans that they will be the last industry to open.

AS IT STANDS, cafés and restaurants are to return on 29 June (phase three), and pubs will return on 10 August (phase five).

When asked why pubs can’t open at the same time as cafés and restaurants, Health Minister Simon Harris said that it’s not about the category businesses fall under, but whether they can maintain social distancing.

After that, the Licensed Vintners’ Association and the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland released their own strict plans under which pubs could open: including limited toilet access, no standing at the bar, and a max of six people per table.

So, do you think pubs should be allowed to reopen, under these radical plans, at the same time as cafés and restaurants?


Poll Results:

No (10299)
Yes (7817)
I don't know (790)

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188 Comments
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    Mute JusticeForJoe
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    May 6th 2020, 9:50 AM

    People need to stop asking when we’re “allowed” to do stuff and ask instead when is it safe to. Stop acting like children begging to be let go to play with traffic

    2373
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    Mute Peter Hughes
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    May 6th 2020, 10:02 AM

    @JusticeForJoe: Open with social distancing, if we can take flight in a tiny steel tube we can go for a pint end of. The virus ain’t going away so best get on with life as best possible and stop trying to eradicate something that we cannot….unless you want to stop all travel in and out of the country and shut down all human interaction until a vaccine is produced…..which obviously will send us back to the dark ages. The economic fallout will kill many more than this virus will in the years ahead if we don’t take drastic action and get the country moving now.

    615
    SC
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    Mute SC
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    May 6th 2020, 10:08 AM

    @Peter Hughes: I don’t see how you equate not going to the pub with living in the dark ages. We should slowly resume essential activities. Pubs should be way down the list.

    734
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    Mute JusticeForJoe
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    May 6th 2020, 10:11 AM

    @Peter Hughes: “If we can take flight in a tiny steel tube, we can go for a pint end of” is definitely the most idiotic thing I’ve heard over the course of this so far. And I’ve heard a lot from Trump and his fans.

    268
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    Mute Brendan Cooney
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    May 6th 2020, 10:18 AM

    @Peter Hughes: dt’s kicking in Peter?

    57
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    Mute Peter Hughes
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    May 6th 2020, 10:23 AM

    @JusticeForJoe: Why is it idiotic?, is flying in a tiny steel tube possible with social distancing?, if no then why are we doing it?
    Well if you can say otherwise they I will call myself an idiot.

    What you people don’t seem to grasp is life will have to move on, we cannot live in some bubble because the economic effects will wipe us out. Wait until the tax raises and cuts to dole, pensions and services start kicking in….you will no doubt be on here complaining about it all…..you people make me laugh.

    147
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    Mute Wreck Tangle
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    May 6th 2020, 10:23 AM

    @JusticeForJoe:

    You are completely correct, people talk about “being allowed” when in a way it’s the duty of every citizen of Europe to be patient. I’d much rather what we are experiencing than to be in places like US, Sweden, Hungary where governments are deciding to bury their heads in the sand.

    It’s been a few weeks. It might be another few weeks, life might never go back to how it was or we might sit in the pub in 2 years talking about how weird the lockdown was and life has returned to normal.

    This hasn’t happened in recent times, collective patience is needed to allow experts/governments to interpret data from different countries and work out how we all get out of this!

    151
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    Mute Tom Harpur Photography
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    May 6th 2020, 10:30 AM

    @Peter Hughes: Is that you Mr President

    50
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    Mute Mick Flynn
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    May 6th 2020, 10:31 AM

    @JusticeForJoe:
    There are far too many self appointed experts and nervous nannies around these days letting their own nervousness and anxiousness dominate their thinking.
    We will be hiding behind the couch for the next ten years if they continue to dominate the public narrative. We have to be smart and find a way to live with this and each other.
    We also need better reporting. Eg, where are the contact tracing metrics. Testing alone is useless.
    Hurry up and ask the f#$#$ng question.
    Pls stop being an extension of the Government’s PR department.

    95
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    Mute Kevin McDonnell
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    May 6th 2020, 10:38 AM

    @Peter Hughes: You are absolutely correct, the governments plan is extremely cautious. We either decide to learn to live with the virus or hide until someone tells us there is cure

    53
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    Mute Peter Hughes
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    May 6th 2020, 10:41 AM

    @Tom Harpur Photography: Looking forward coming back on here to listen to you all when the carnage kicks in in the next few years…..crying about how you cannot afford to live and all the rest, my taxes are too high, why is my pension / dole been cut…..why is this service and that service getting cut, why cannot I get home help…..this list is endless and its all coming.

    67
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    Mute JusticeForJoe
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    May 6th 2020, 10:44 AM

    @Mick Flynn: What exactly do you want? All these “Start asking the right questions” and “question the narrative” and “it’s all a bit too convenient, don’t you think?” f-ing morons need to be rounded up and contained.
    FFS people were crying to be let out before a week was up. Absolutely ridiculous overreaction to a TEMPORARY measure. The more idiots that react like that, the less effective any measures we take are and the longer this whole thing drags on so that it DOES make a bigger mess of the economy.

    67
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    Mute JusticeForJoe
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    May 6th 2020, 10:46 AM

    @Peter Hughes: austerity isn’t the only option in politics. Just stop talking if that’s the only way you can think

    42
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    Mute Bennett blaster
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    May 6th 2020, 10:52 AM

    @Peter Hughes: Yeah, those two things are exactly the same. You’re not a bright person are you.

    33
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    Mute FecklessBear
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    May 6th 2020, 11:03 AM

    @JusticeForJoe: it’s the only option our new government will consider though..

    16
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    Mute Rob Kennedy
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    May 6th 2020, 11:12 AM

    @JusticeForJoe: Don’t usually comment but can’t understand why people make this personal. Idiot….moron…..not very bright etc. This is straight out of the Trump bully playbook. The man has a difference of opinion. Why not just stick to the points ?

    70
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    Mute Aidan Haughey
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    May 6th 2020, 11:13 AM

    @JusticeForJoe: Who are you.

    6
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    Mute Anne Marie Devlin
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    May 6th 2020, 11:14 AM

    @Wreck Tangle: ok, US is a basket case but it’s death rate is lower than ours. Sweden’s death rate is about the same as ours and Hungary’s is about 8 times less. I’m not suggesting opening everything up immediately. I’d like to see things open quicker with proper distancing and WEAR MASKS.

    20
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    Mute Sid
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    May 6th 2020, 11:42 AM

    @Peter Hughes: You’re looking forward to a recession just so you can win an Internet argument? Grow up child.

    17
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    Mute John Lalor
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    May 6th 2020, 11:43 AM

    @JusticeForJoe: I know you mean well with your comments but if we are trying to make everything completely safe, then we will never reopen the economy, and going forward we will be like little children getting our allowance from the Government. Everyday we get out of bed we make value judgements around work family etc. If we drive,say 15km, to a supermarket (versus walking 150m to a local shop) to save €20 on a weekly shop are we making a reckless decision to put our family’s livelihoods risk for money. I trust grown ups to make decisions which suit their own and their families interests. The vast majority of people aren’t going to go out to make other people uncomfortable around social distancing. People wanting to get back to work, and reopen businesses are acting like grown-ups.

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    Mute gordon o loughlin
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    May 6th 2020, 11:55 AM

    @JusticeForJoe: absolutely

    9
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    Mute JusticeForJoe
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    May 6th 2020, 12:07 PM

    @Rob Kennedy: To be honest, Rob, when yer man equated essential transport (or the aeronautical feat of flight itself, as he seemed to do) and said “end of” after basically saying “if we can fly we can drunkenly socialise”, I really felt like that needed to be treated with suitable derision. Seriously, like… “End of”… gtf away from me

    20
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    Mute JusticeForJoe
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    May 6th 2020, 12:09 PM

    @FecklessBear: They already talked about it not being an option this time and said they would opt instead to stimulate the economy.
    They also know their noses are no longer assured a place in the trough.

    10
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    Mute Dave Hammond
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    May 6th 2020, 12:13 PM

    @Wreck Tangle: the WHO – thats the body we take our lead from in a health crisis – pandemic have said to pay attention to Swedens approach -your assertion that they are simply burying their head in the sand is way way way off the mark – they have managed the crisis with the same levels of reduction by social distancing as Ireland have – without killing their economy or forcing a alockdown for the healthy sections of society – but hey dont let facts get in the way of your rambings whatever ya do

    16
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    Mute seamus toomey
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    May 6th 2020, 12:42 PM

    @Sid: think we could end up in a depression instead of a recession

    7
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    Mute Peter donnelly
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    May 6th 2020, 1:08 PM

    @Wreck Tangle: experts yes p, self serving politicians no, varuka is already disputing medical advice and will claim any good going forward as his idea, can I go to sleep for the next 5 years and wake up when the election is called….

    4
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    Mute Paddy Lambe
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    May 6th 2020, 1:21 PM

    @JusticeForJoe: exactly!

    3
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    Mute Patrick J Molloy
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    May 6th 2020, 2:21 PM

    @JusticeForJoe: Joe I totally agree .
    This is a pandemic and has taken the lives of 250,000 globally.
    It’s a difficult and lonely time for all of us but this will end however we must do all we can to save more lives .
    I’m astounded at the selfish behaviour of some and this crisis is showing the true character of all

    9
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    Mute EillieEs
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    May 6th 2020, 2:33 PM

    @Mick Flynn: you’re right, there ARE too many self-appointed experts around. Just wondering what’s your own expertise that you think you know more than the experts advising the country

    7
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    Mute Chris Mc
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    May 6th 2020, 3:24 PM

    @Peter Hughes: at least we will be alive to moan about these things.

    3
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    Mute mr magoo
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    May 6th 2020, 4:10 PM

    @JusticeForJoe: exactly. Loosening restrictions doesn’t mean the pandemic is in any way over. It just means there’s room for you in the ICU.

    3
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    Mute Trevor Donoghue
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    May 6th 2020, 8:56 PM

    @Peter Hughes: Because the vast majority of us are not brain dead enough to take a flight anywhere.

    1
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    Mute Paul Wr
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    May 6th 2020, 9:32 PM

    @Peter Hughes: if we don’t it properly the second wave will destroy everything .. and especially the economy.

    1
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    Mute nivek
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    May 7th 2020, 7:26 AM

    @Peter Hughes: and people not on the frontline are not necessary until they realise no one is paying any tax to pay the frontline and public service …
    we need to return to normal as quick as we can so that we can preserve what’s left of our economy so that our kids have something to live for and taut we have a health service than can treat sick people.
    We have already lost a decade in this country from 2008 crisis , and we will loose another now.
    History will show that the economic decisions that were taken will be shown to be some of the worst economic decisions in human history and will results in more death and hardship than what they are trying to protect.

    1
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    Mute nivek
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    May 7th 2020, 7:29 AM

    @Peter Hughes: and I’ll be happy if I am paying taxes as it means I have a job ….which I don’t think I will this time next year in which case we will have to take our chances with covid to scrape some living to our food on the table …

    1
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    Mute nivek
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    May 7th 2020, 7:30 AM

    @JusticeForJoe: so how to we pay back the debt, it was already costing 11B a year . That’s probably going to go up to 15B now…that’s 5 children’s hospital btw ….

    1
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    Mute Pat Dromey
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    May 6th 2020, 9:51 AM

    In pubs 2 meter’s becomes 2 centimeters as the medicine takes effect.

    959
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    Mute Cormac Laffan
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    May 6th 2020, 10:34 AM

    @Pat Dromey: The ould brewers droop Pat?

    142
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    Mute JDel
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    May 6th 2020, 10:59 AM

    @Pat Dromey: not really, when you’re all sitting at designated tables, and can only order from the wait staff…..

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    Mute Julie Grey
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    May 6th 2020, 11:40 AM

    @JDel: what about the waiting staff how do they keep a safe distance?

    34
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    Mute Michael Brennan
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    May 6th 2020, 12:19 PM

    @Julie Grey: And that of course applies to restaurants. Something which seems to be continually overlooked.

    22
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    Mute Charles Coughlan
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    May 6th 2020, 1:26 PM

    @Cormac Laffan: Causes the other thing to droop as well Cormac :-)

    1
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    Mute JDel
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    May 6th 2020, 5:08 PM

    @Julie Grey: they don’t. At some point people are going to have to realise that social distancing forever isn’t possible in certain circumstances. Some places like restaurants, pubs, hairdressers, will require staff coming closer than 2m.

    3
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    Mute Robert Edwards
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    May 6th 2020, 9:43 PM

    @Pat Dromey: are you saying that people who have drank 8 pints won’t social distance…?

    2
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    Mute ☘
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    May 6th 2020, 9:49 AM

    this has to be done properly to avoid a second wave and pubs and restaurants should both be closed until it’s under control

    355
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    Mute Peter Hughes
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    May 6th 2020, 10:03 AM

    @☘: Only way to stop a second wave is to stop all human interaction, all we can do is try and keep the numbers down while going about our lives with social distancing.

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    Mute Mark Fields
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    May 6th 2020, 10:15 AM

    @☘: no problem when it’s under control there will be no pubs to go to

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    Mute ☘
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    May 6th 2020, 10:24 AM

    @Mark Fields: maby nobody left to go to them if we don’t it under control

    45
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    Mute Conchuir O Maolchallann
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    May 6th 2020, 10:24 AM

    @☘: A second wave will com regardless of doing this, it is here to stay like influenza. From a practical perspective a lot of pubs are bigger than cafes with large amounts of toilets.

    33
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    Mute filthypete
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    May 6th 2020, 10:29 AM

    @Conchuir O Maolchallann: are you promoting drinking in cubicles? This is the brave style of thinking needed.

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    Mute DeWitt
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    May 6th 2020, 10:31 AM

    @☘: bull. If you don’t want to go to pub or elsewhere that’s fine but you cant stop everyone else.

    31
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    Mute ☘
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    May 6th 2020, 10:35 AM

    @DeWitt: try going to one today so

    23
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    Mute Kevin McDonnell
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    May 6th 2020, 10:40 AM

    @☘: Now that’s a idiotic comment, you are effectively saying this will wipe out the human race when the science says there is a 99% recovery rate

    32
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    Mute Aidan Haughey
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    May 6th 2020, 11:15 AM

    @☘: who are you

    1
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    Mute Tom Malone
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    May 6th 2020, 11:26 AM

    @Aidan Haughey: it’s Frank!

    1
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    Mute ciaran carroll
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    May 6th 2020, 12:15 PM

    @Kevin McDonnell:
    I agree
    It’s the greatest brainwashing of the human race since the Nazis and most people bought into it
    Let’s all jump up and down now in the marked boxes 2 metres behind each other if people were asked to do this they would as they have bought into the brainwashing and control tactics

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    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
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    May 6th 2020, 12:46 PM

    @ciaran carroll: what’s 1% of our population? Is that number not worth protecting?

    8
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    Mute Al.Dunne
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    May 6th 2020, 2:14 PM

    @ciaran carroll: really , and to what end, what the grand plan?
    Is this not costing everybody money/time

    1
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    Mute Paul Wr
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    May 6th 2020, 9:42 PM

    @Mark Fields: if we don’t do this right first time.. there will be no shops or supermarkets to go to.

    2
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    Mute Donal McGrath
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    May 6th 2020, 9:53 AM

    Intoxication and things like social distancing and regular hand washing are probably not likely to be compatible for a lot of reasons.

    Don’t kill granny, keep your distance.

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    Mute Peter Denham
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    May 6th 2020, 11:17 AM

    @Donal McGrath: beautifully put

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    Mute Dean
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    May 6th 2020, 4:05 PM

    Deaths per million, Ireland is 8th.
    Cases per million, Ireland is 2nd.

    Even the US is doing better.

    Irish govt is doing a tragic job. We’re not ready to open.

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    Mute johnny onion eye
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    May 6th 2020, 4:09 PM

    @Dean: testing more per million and counting all deaths unlike most

    13
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    Mute JDel
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    May 6th 2020, 5:09 PM

    @Dean: neither of those stats is true. Have a look on the worldometer website.

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    Mute Michael Mcgregor
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    May 6th 2020, 9:46 PM

    @Dean: And there’s your answer when it comes to the question of opening up society.

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    Mute Wreck Tangle
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    May 6th 2020, 10:16 AM

    I personally love a pint but I don’t understand why we are even discussing this and wish the Vintners Association would shut up!

    First step should be to give people the ability to move about freely, concurrently bring things like schools back and get the flows working for universities etc. Also general work places, help businesses to migrate to home office and get small businesses that can’t work on line back up and running.

    Last thing anyone should be thinking of are pubs. In the current climate, they are a luxury and the category where plans that look great on paper will fall to pieces once put into practice.

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    Mute Rochelle
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    May 6th 2020, 11:26 AM

    @Wreck Tangle: Agreed. As something else to consider the prospect is absolutely terrifying for bar staff, the Vintners are essentially volunteering them to the front lines as one of the most exposed positions.

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    Mute Jonathan McCoy
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    May 6th 2020, 11:38 AM

    @Rochelle: Publicans don’t give a crap about their staff in a lot of cases. All you have to do is look at the all too common breaches of employment law within them to realise that. I was a barman for 9 years, I left because my safety and security was repeatedly put at risk.

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    Mute Pat Byrne
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    May 6th 2020, 9:54 AM

    Either keep both closed until phase 5 or open them together on June 29th the social distancing will be much the same problem in both places

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    Mute John Byrne
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    May 6th 2020, 10:54 AM

    @Pat Byrne: no it won’t

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    Mute Bennett blaster
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    May 6th 2020, 10:54 AM

    @Pat Byrne: people in cafes aren’t drunk, drunk people aren’t exactly great at following rules

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    Mute Joe Moore
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    May 6th 2020, 9:57 AM

    No matter what precautions are taken there will be another wave, another after that and so on. Covid is now a part of humanity just like sars, ebola, zirka, swine flu etc, no vaccines for alot of those either.
    I don’t drink so pubs not been open does not affect me personally but of course others like to socialise and of course the business and jobs aspect.
    We cannot constantly live in fear of a virus. Some form of normality needs to resume, social distancing will always be part of life now too, that is no harm either.

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    Mute Niall Ó Cofaigh
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    May 6th 2020, 12:15 PM

    @Joe Moore: health care workers live in fear of the virus because if you get it and need to go to hospital you put them at risk – a risk from which they cannot protect themselves as about 25% of all cases are health care workers and some of those are dead.

    We have vaccines for swine flu and no current outbreak of SARS-1 or MERS or Ebola to worry about and if there is an outbreak of any illness for which there is no protection available it will be the healthcare workers in Ireland or the Congo or China or the Middle East that will live in fear of the virus and wear as much protection as possible – think not of oneself but of those who have to handle the fall out.

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    Mute Joe Moore
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    May 6th 2020, 1:06 PM

    @Niall Ó Cofaigh: Niall I work on the frontline in Healthcare, don’t make assumptions, I also stated there are some viruses out there to which there are no vaccines. Your points are valid indeed I’m just saying life goes on, of course people die, thats fact.

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    Mute Gary O CONNOR
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    May 6th 2020, 9:50 AM

    Ideal for wave 2 if to early unfortunately.
    Patience over greed will save lives FFG.
    But with FFGs record of pandering to vintners ,
    Lives will be lost ….

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    Mute Fred the Muss...
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    May 6th 2020, 9:54 AM

    @Gary O CONNOR: Parents over pints.

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    Mute Adrian™
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    May 6th 2020, 9:56 AM

    @Gary O CONNOR: like the way they put extra tax on alcohol frequently and introduced the smoking ban?

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    May 6th 2020, 10:05 AM

    @Gary O CONNOR: the SF government in the North put the ecomomy before lives, (just look at the flights into Belfast from the place with the largest number of deaths in Europe), our government made decisions to save lives at the expense of the ecomomy.

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    Mute Nioe
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    May 6th 2020, 10:13 AM

    @Chris Mc: ssh. Can’t discuss SF inept performance in NI here.

    This is the forum for SF supporters to forget the mess SF and DUP have made of the covid-19 and just give out about the ROI government. Even though NI is worse than here.

    Imagine if that flight landed into dublin. Shinnerbots would explode at FG. Blood on their hands etc etc. Flights in and out of Belfast are ok though and government not to blame !!

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    Mute Gary O CONNOR
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    May 6th 2020, 11:11 AM

    @Gary O CONNOR: We shall see FFG bots …

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    Mute David Corrigan
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    May 6th 2020, 11:27 AM

    @Nioe: Can you point me to the media report where it states that SF are happy with flights coming into NI airports please? I would love to read about it.

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    Mute Nioe
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    May 6th 2020, 3:31 PM

    @David Corrigan: they’ve let it happen on their watch. So they are either incompetent or allowed it to happen. Just like shinners blame FG for everything that happens.

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    Mute Alan Lynch
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    May 6th 2020, 10:39 AM

    I like my few pints in the pub as much as the next guy but there’s no way it’s safe to open them at the same time as cafes ect. There’s no reason they can’t wait an extra month or so until this has hopefully been contained a bit more.

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    Mute Ron
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    May 6th 2020, 11:54 AM

    @Alan Lynch: Its everybody’s own decision to go to the pub or not when they open democracy I believe.

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    Mute Sarah Connor
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    May 6th 2020, 12:58 PM

    @Ron: yes but then that someone in the pub picks up the virus from a drunk person with no mask (cant ware a mask while drinking), goes to the shop next day, picks uoloaf of bread, changes mind puts it down, next person picks up same loaf of bread, brings it home to family of 5, they all have some bread and head out for a run…etc etc

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    Mute Sean Nihill
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    May 6th 2020, 9:46 AM

    Can’t see any way its economical and will put small pubs out of business as they’d suffer more than bigger ones

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    Mute talksense
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    May 6th 2020, 10:30 AM

    @Sean Nihill: ok just let the big ones open, limit the amount of drinks people can have

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    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
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    May 6th 2020, 11:09 AM

    @talksense: you know as well as I do that if such restrictions were in force, they would not be adhered to. Using HSE guidelines, a restriction on quantity consumed would mean a maximum of 1 GLASS of beer per hour. Combining that with the extra staff to maintain social distancing as well as the reduced capacity and the necessity for COVID-19 insurance, I can’t see the logic – financially or otherwise – for reopening. The only conclusion I can come to – and I work in the industry – is that these pubs want these restrictions brought in so that they can open and flout those very same restrictions anyway.

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    Mute ObsidianShine
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    May 6th 2020, 12:54 PM

    @Brian Ó Dálaigh: Yes Brian, I agree. As well you know the vast majority of pubs/nightclubs flout the restrictions in normal times as much as they can. I can’t see them sticking to restrictions in this instance. They didn’t stick to the Covid-19 guidelines before they were forced to close either.

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    Mute Scorcher Bois Gris
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    May 6th 2020, 10:27 AM

    I’d love to see an alternative to pubs as not everyone drinks or wants to spend their evenings in the pub. What about late night cafes with licences to sell alcohol like they have in other countries where you have the option to have a drink if you want to after your cappucino..? Far more civilised, people don’t end up getting plastered and probably easier to implement social distancing….

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    Mute DeWitt
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    May 6th 2020, 2:05 PM

    @Scorcher Bois Gris: that was suggested by the PDs when they were in Gov. Vested interests killed it

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    Mute Mike Ryan
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    May 6th 2020, 9:53 AM

    Its going to have to be a pub by pub case. If they can prove an effective social distancing plan, fair enough. The majority of the pubs in my area have restaurant licences, so they can open at the same time as the standard restaurants and cafes.

    We are still talking the bones of 2 months before they can open anyway, so hopefully there will be a big enough improvement in cases by then.

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    Mute TL55
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    May 6th 2020, 10:06 AM

    @Mike Ryan: That improvement is the key item for the hospitality industry generally. Can’t honestly see I it would be feasible to operate under social distancing guidelines.

    To test it: 1 go to the centre of your the biggest room in your home. 2 Mark the spot with a book. 3 Step 2 meters away and put another book down. 4 Repeat 3 another three time so you have a circle made by the book.

    If you are at the centre of that circle you see just how much space is required for 1 customer. Now think of a pub/cafe/restaurant with 50 customers.

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    Mute Paddy Cullen AIWS
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    May 6th 2020, 10:11 AM

    @TL55: So the book in front of me is 2 mts away, as is the one behind me, the one to my left and the one to my right, could I not put a person on each of them and we’d be socially distancing? That’s 5 people now instead of 1.

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    Mute Willie Murphy
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    May 6th 2020, 10:31 AM

    @TL55: with your social distancing guidelines you’d have about 200 people at Slane…

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    Mute TL55
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    May 6th 2020, 1:20 PM

    @Paddy Cullen AIWS: Yes but remember the person nearest any of the 4 on the outside stools would have to be 2 meters from them. It would start to get unmanageable very quickly.

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    Mute TL55
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    May 6th 2020, 1:25 PM

    @Willie Murphy: Yes Willie and that’s why concerts are unlikely to happen this year. Same will probably go for sports events that attract large crowds.

    It’s frustrating not being able to go to matches at present but peoples’ health is more important

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    Mute Ciaran Adamson
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    May 6th 2020, 9:55 AM

    This virus has powers we just don’t understand yet … the web cams inside Temple Bar that have been operational for years went dead just before the lockdown…,I wonder if they can be fixed before they reopen or is the virus too strong…

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    Mute Paul O'Sullivan
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    May 6th 2020, 10:33 AM

    The HSE / Govermdnt gave directions for Pubs / Restaurants etc to close on 12th Of March when they were 70 active cases and one death, (that occurred 11th March).
    We currently have over 7,000 active cases and over 230 new cases yesterday.
    I cannot see why we should even be considering re-opening pubs again….

    I certainly will not be going into a pub until there are practically zero new cases, because I do not want to pick up this virus and pass it on to a vulnerable person.
    This is the point of lockdown of certain sections of our society.

    Pubs should probably reopen in areas were there are no active cases. For example if Gslway/Mayo has no active cases j cant see why pubs should not reopen there, but if Dublin/ Kildare continue continues to have active cases they should remain closed.
    Pubs should reopen gradually where there is low risk of catching the virus.

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    Mute Dell
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    May 6th 2020, 10:55 AM

    @Paul O’Sullivan: do you honestly believe people would not travel to pubs that are open?

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    Mute DeWitt
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    May 6th 2020, 11:20 AM

    @Dell: it’s their choice

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    Mute Dell
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    May 6th 2020, 6:43 PM

    @DeWitt: I’d imagine it wouldn’t be the choice of the people living nearby to have people coming from regions that figures are still high in.

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    Mute Pat Butler
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    May 6th 2020, 10:54 AM

    It wouldn’t bother me if I never see the door of a pub ever open again

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    Mute Porter Mechanic
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    May 6th 2020, 1:53 PM

    @Pat Butler: Pat you’ve said this numerous times on many articles regarding this matter. But Pat you don’t yet realise that you will have to pay more tax if this industry does not get back on its feet in order to balance the exchequers books. Less Business open means less people contributing money in the form of taxes to the Country that you live in and I live in, whether you never set foot in a pub in your whole life or never drank you will still be the person that pays, take a step back and forget about whatever prejudices you might have towards Pubs and their customers for a minute and you might see the bigger picture Pat, Because the country is hemorraghing Money right now and this industry is worth millions to the greater economy.

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    Mute Pat Butler
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    May 6th 2020, 2:41 PM

    @Porter Mechanic: and the countless lives destroyed because of them?????

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    Mute Porter Mechanic
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    May 6th 2020, 2:51 PM

    @Pat Butler: You are confusing pubs with people, it’s people that destroy lives not pubs.

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    Mute Davey Dwyer
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    May 6th 2020, 10:34 AM

    I was a Doorman for years in Temple Bar & on many a night especially during the summer months found it a handful just to deal with the crap going on at the front door… how are you going to police and enforce whats going on inside & are they to put there hand up when they need to go to the bathroom in single files?!! .. i do empathise with publicans but do we really need a drink that bad!… a second outbreak & another 5 month lockdown will bring this country & its ppl to its knees!!

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    Mute MickN
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    May 6th 2020, 11:47 AM

    @Davey Dwyer: You are spot on I done the same job for years and people have just no understanding about what its like to try a speak sense to drunks..This will be a nightmare and lead to more fights and claims than ever..

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    Mute james r
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    May 6th 2020, 9:55 AM

    Open the country .. worked for Sweden..second wave

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    Mute Richard Griffin
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    May 6th 2020, 10:41 AM

    @james r: No it hasnt. Look at the figures. Highest death rate per capita than any of the Scandinavian countries.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    May 6th 2020, 10:44 AM

    @james r: I have loved ones and rather not gamble with their lives. The UK and the US started off like Sweden. That didn’t go so well did it

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    Mute ciaran carroll
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    May 6th 2020, 12:06 PM

    @james r:
    I agree James r
    Sweden didn’t bankrupt their country like the muppets we have governing ours
    They were giving out about Swedish attitude to this virus 3 months ago now the WHO is backtracking and praising Sweden as a model country
    Leo needs to make a stance instead of listening to the HSE who are currently acting as Taoiseach here

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    Mute
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    May 6th 2020, 11:32 AM

    Would it really be a disaster if we learned to socialise without the pub? I enjoy a good pint, and do look forward to after-work-pints when people are up for it.

    But I do wish we could meet up with people outside of a pub, it’s an expensive, unhealthy, and often a boring way to socialise.

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    Mute Paul Dunning
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    May 6th 2020, 9:58 AM

    No

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    Mute MickN
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    May 6th 2020, 10:06 AM

    I cant believe we are even talking about this…Business doing what it does..

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    Mute Kevin McDonnell
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    May 6th 2020, 10:45 AM

    @MickN: Yes, businesses doing what they do, providing a service people want, employing staff, paying paye and prsi contributions, VAT returns, If businesses do not reopen, who pays for HSE?? Any ideas??

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    Mute MickN
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    May 6th 2020, 11:45 AM

    @Kevin McDonnell: Tell that to the min wage staff who will have to confront drunken people about getting too close together…

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    Mute Gavin Mckenna
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    May 6th 2020, 10:27 AM

    Yes bar workers and owners need to get back to work, but not until it’s properly safe, less likelihood of people getting messy drunk at restaurants. It’s almost as if publicans “forget” they sell alcohol that tends to make “guidelines” go out window with punters forgetting rules after 4 or 5 drinks. Part of me thinks let them open fully and let them take the risks from staff to customers getting the virus in a possible second wave, then shut them down again infinitely. Sure many who open after 3 or 4 weeks will realise all the shouting and crying to reopen is a waste with less punters allowed and huge overheads. The days of The Traditional Irish pub are gone until a vaccines got.

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    Mute DeWitt
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    May 6th 2020, 10:30 AM

    Get rid of this lockdown and replace it with personal responsibility. Over 70 is bull when an under 70 is obese. 2 or 5 km rule is bull when working people drive much more. A tiny cafe can open but a huge pub cant more bull. The health inspector in each are should verify each establishment and allow it to open or not, irrespective of what they serve. Time for big government to go away and only focus on the vulnerable irrespective of age, etc.

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    Mute John Byrne
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    May 6th 2020, 10:52 AM

    @DeWitt: there are people that go to pubs daily that don’t even have a shower weekly ffs , would you be happy to have them sit beside you ?

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    Mute DeWitt
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    May 6th 2020, 10:57 AM

    @John Byrne: at least its MY choice not some civil servant. Last year the HSE were a basket case and now they are running the country. Are you happy with that.

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    Mute John Byrne
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    May 6th 2020, 11:08 AM

    @DeWitt: away you go so bud , sit beside some grub that hasn’t washed themselves for a week , coughing and sneezing on you , dribbling and drooling . As much as I don’t like the HSE , your leadership would be worse .

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    Mute DeWitt
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    May 6th 2020, 11:20 AM

    @John Byrne: my choice.

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    Mute Bountyop
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    May 6th 2020, 11:08 AM

    This must be the only country where the pub with drunk, slobbering patrons is such a priority. No amount of comparing to other businesses makes it so. It is non-essential, so gets stepped down the longest. It’s not hard to understand. It’s not like you can’t purchase alcohol to your hearts content at a supermarket and drink…you just can’t go to the pub

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    Mute thomas patrick
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    May 6th 2020, 10:24 AM

    No matter what decision is taken there will be people complaining… let’s just get on with it and let the powers that be deal with it as they see fit. None of us are in the unenviable position of having to make these decision thank god

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    Mute Jeanette Dunne
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    May 6th 2020, 11:09 AM

    If they can make it work, let them make it work. What ever people can do safely to get back to their lively hoods we should support. If there’s too many people in a store,pub,park,shop,playground, then one in one out.
    What ever it takes to get things moving again while the virus stays out.

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    Mute Ron
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    May 6th 2020, 11:59 AM

    @Jeanette Dunne: Agree with you totally about time someone made sense here.

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    Mute DeWitt
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    May 6th 2020, 2:08 PM

    @Jeanette Dunne: you are totally correct.

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    Mute BuffaloSoldiersky
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    May 6th 2020, 11:27 AM

    People should be allowed to see their family members living in different towns, be able to drive to secluded beaches, be able to hike or go to the forest, go fishing or sailing, all of those activities pose no risk if social distancing is strictly followed… If you start with opening of the restaurants/pubs, Indoor Sports, Social Gatherings, everyone can forget about later phases, two months of the lockdown will be wasted…we will be back to the bottom of a very steep curve in no time…

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    Mute Charles McCarthy
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    May 6th 2020, 10:20 AM

    Pubs should supply bubble suits on entry with a little opening for straws. As the night progresses one can have a competition who can use the loo, and stay upright without vomiting in said bubble suit. great craic altogether.

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    Mute John Byrne
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    May 6th 2020, 10:49 AM

    Ah the Irish love affair with drink , restaurants are a completely different animal to pubs . People don’t usually get hammered drunk in restaurants and end up swinging out of each other professing there love for each other whilst the following day crossing the road to avoid the same person . Suck it up and wait it out ffs . If you can’t live without pints you have a bigger issue than covid 19 , but paddy loves his pints .

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    Mute DeWitt
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    May 6th 2020, 10:58 AM

    @John Byrne: paddy wants the tight to choose.

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    Mute John Byrne
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    May 6th 2020, 11:11 AM

    @DeWitt: judging by you paddy can’t make the right choice for himself , maybe they can get all you lot together in a pub and let natural selection sort this whole mess out ?

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    Mute DeWitt
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    May 6th 2020, 11:21 AM

    @John Byrne: natural selection involves choice, so yes please.

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    Mute Ron
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    May 6th 2020, 11:56 AM

    @John Byrne: you sound great fun John like your pic profile!

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    Mute Barrsball Rebel
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    May 6th 2020, 11:36 AM

    We need to re-boot the economy…Get People back to Work…We need to open Cafe’s, Restaurants, Hotels, Pubs…Re-boot the Tourist Industry…This virus will not disappear overnight..Too much paranoid individuals breathing negativity on here to a situation thats not going away soon..We must take precautions and fight this virus on an individual basis..Condolences to all those who passed away but We do owe the People who died form this virus a duty to fight this virus to the bitter end..

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    Mute Liberty Peacock
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    May 6th 2020, 11:48 AM

    @Barrsball Rebel: More people will die from the economic impact than the actual virus. We can greatly mitigate the impact of the virus by following what Sweden and now rest of Central Europe are doing.

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    Mute MickN
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    May 6th 2020, 11:51 AM

    @Barrsball Rebel: Resturants and hotels they could be managed, pubs on the other hand is a whole different ball game, you are dealing with people with the mental capacity of a 12yr old with a belly full of alcohol..

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    Mute Barrsball Rebel
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    May 6th 2020, 2:50 PM

    @Liberty Peacock:…..No proof at all that more People will die from the economic impact than the actual virus….Again, this is scaremongering nonsense…No substance in the statement at all…

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    Mute Barrsball Rebel
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    May 6th 2020, 2:53 PM

    @MickN:…To be honest you are dealing with people with the mental capacity of a 12yr old with NO alcohol on board judging by some of the comments here…..Takes all sorts I suppose..Hotels won’t open without a Bar trade…

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    Mute Liberty Peacock
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    May 6th 2020, 11:48 AM

    People seem to misunderstand what flatten the curve meant. There was never going to reduce the area under the curve, just spread it out so we can cope better with it.

    This disease is not going away, most other countries are aware of that. Every country will look like Sweden, its just a matter of how long before they wake up and smell the coffee.

    Focus on protecting the vulnerable. And a lot more needs to be done to protect nursing homes. Most of the work force is low risk, we need to let the economy recover and divert our efforts to the actual groups that are at risk……

    Need a plan to better protect nursing homes immediately. It will wipe out nursing homes, as we have seen in Italy and Spain.

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    Mute Rochelle
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    May 6th 2020, 11:21 AM

    People don’t generally mingle with strangers in cafes and restaurants and the substances they consume there generally doesn’t lower inhibitions. There’s no reason why pubs should be treated on the same level outside of the magical fairytale land where everyone only stays for a drink or two, behaves impeccably and doesn’t speak to anyone at another table.

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    Mute Shiraz
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    May 6th 2020, 10:52 AM

    I would say yes with appropriate controls in place and then let the people decide for themselves.

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    Mute FrustratedASDMum
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    May 6th 2020, 11:42 AM

    @Shiraz: The problem is it just takes a couple of drinks to affect our decision making ability and then people start doing stupid things and social distancing, hygiene, etc. go out the window. How is it going to be policed? Will it be like the old parish hall discos of years ago, where the priest stood watching over everyone, reminding people to “make room for the Holy Spirit” if they got too close to each other? Drunk people are stupid and don’t take being told what to do very well either.

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    Mute MickN
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    May 6th 2020, 11:49 AM

    @Shiraz: Appropriate controls are impossible in a pub with people full of pints, impossible…!

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    Mute Gerard
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    May 6th 2020, 11:40 AM

    There are problems with it beyond just people getting drunk.

    People sit across from each other in restaurants and cafés, whereas pubs are arranged for people to sit beside one another.

    Restaurants have table service (usually). And those that don’t, along with cafés, have orderly queue systems where you queue for the till to order. Not just a free-for-all where you pile around the bar.

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    Mute Isabel Oliveira
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    May 6th 2020, 10:56 AM

    Yes. With a limit to 40 % capacity & table service only . The unemployment in bar staff will be tremendous otherwise.

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    Mute Polli Glotte
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    May 6th 2020, 11:10 AM

    It’s reasonable to temporarily shut down the really busy places in crowded city centres for safety’s sake… There are any number of amenities nearby. It’s a bit unfair, however, towards the rural pubs that act as a sort of restaurant, café, shop and community centre in the more remote places. I suppose that they can re-open as restaurants and keep to the same rules.

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    Mute Criostoir Mac Ranghaill
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    May 6th 2020, 10:18 AM

    As soon as the three FF FG and the greens sign on the dotted line most restrictions will be giving the go ahead to resume with exception of social distancing which will be upgraded to no groups of more than 100 will be allowed to congregate or walk on the streets togethet

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    Mute Caroline Quirke
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    May 6th 2020, 11:07 AM

    How many tables in pubs can fit 6 people while adhering to 2M rule… seriously?!

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    Mute Peter O Donnell
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    May 6th 2020, 10:43 AM

    How does a restaurant have tables big enough to ensure your 2m apart at the table like they are demanding of the pub trade.

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    Mute finbarr quirke
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    May 6th 2020, 10:09 AM

    Hopefully they can but obviously only if safe to do so. Cutting out shots and doubles to start with. 1 person to 1 seat allowed in etc. I think the biggest problem would be smoking areas and toilets.

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    Mute Ron
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    May 6th 2020, 11:48 AM

    Nobody is forced to go to the pubs Pat everybody’s own decision & its up to the pub owner to throw people out if they are not adhering to the rules. I will go to the pub when it opens back up & if i’m not happy with what I see back to the my sitting room with my bottle of Heineken & Netflix.

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    Mute Ben Coughlan
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    May 6th 2020, 10:29 AM

    Few thirsty lads out there

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    Mute Paul MacNamara
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    May 6th 2020, 10:56 AM

    In restaurants with alcohol people keep their distance . This can be maintained . In a pub where more alcohol being consumed social distancing , even with less people in bar , would be non-existent . Would need put customers into booths with doors and talk through the wall. Market fir confessional boxes!!

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    Mute Derek glynn
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    May 6th 2020, 12:44 PM

    Yes should be opened immediately

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    Mute David Van-Standen
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    May 6th 2020, 11:07 AM

    The reason we have restrictions is some people are too dumb to look after themselves.

    With news of mutations of the covid 19 virus into more aggressive and contagious strains, in parallel with a growing public outcry about the alleged repressive nature of measures currently in place and a disregard for control measures such as masks because they think masks look silly, or social distancing and travel restrictions, because they believe they infringe their constitutional freedoms..

    There is only one logical solution, lift all the restrictions and let people do what they want, then if it all works out then fine, if not they will likely get infected with a strain that doesn’t just kill the elderly or sick and die themselves, while anyone that takes precautions will probably survive…

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    Mute ciaran carroll
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    May 6th 2020, 12:29 PM

    @David Van-Standen:
    It’s a flu get over it like we get over all the other flus
    Bird flu swine flu now bat flu
    What next?
    Maybe the dog flu?
    Masks out for everyone please so that we can all sweat inside them sneeze inside them and breathe back in our own carbon dioxide and get sick
    Wake up people and breathe in the fresh air it’s good for you you might develop an immunity to fresh air with the oxygen masks
    What a load of bs

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    Mute Tony Doyle
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    May 6th 2020, 4:04 PM

    @ciaran carroll:
    So what you are saying is to hell with a percentage of the population so long as it’s only a small number. I’ve just recently been released from hospital after being on a ventilator for 19 days. 3 relatively young people died in the ICU ward while I was there. Maybe if someone you know gets a severe dose you will understand.

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    Mute David Van-Standen
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    May 6th 2020, 7:01 PM

    @ciaran carroll: you are obviously an expert….

    “Sweat inside them, sneeze inside them and breathe back in our own carbon dioxide and get sick”

    :-) Lol!

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    Mute Thomas Corrigan
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    May 6th 2020, 11:47 AM

    All about the Pub. So we’ll drink our way out of this recession

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    Mute Cronan Feeney
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    May 6th 2020, 2:00 PM

    Based on what I just witnessed in Tesco in Drogheda the answer is a resounding NO!!…. it was like a cattle mart with people bumping into you. Shocking display of complete disregard for social distancing

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    Mute ciaran carroll
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    May 6th 2020, 2:09 PM

    @Cronan Feeney:
    I wonder how many of them got the virus?
    Very few I’d say seeing as only 0.5% of the population got infected

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    Mute ciaran carroll
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    May 6th 2020, 11:58 AM

    Open up the pubs and the GAA
    Herd immunity is what’s needed
    Don’t always agree with Trump but I agree with him on this you can’t keep a country locked down every time a flu pandemic arrives on the scene

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    Mute Bountyop
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    May 6th 2020, 1:19 PM

    @ciaran carroll: I guess you can when one of this magnitude comes every 100 years or so

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    Mute ciaran carroll
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    May 6th 2020, 1:38 PM

    @Bountyop:
    What magnitude?
    80% of people get mild symptoms so what magnitude are you talking about exactly
    0.5% of the Irish people caught it
    Looks like a minuscule amount rather than a magnitude
    You are watching too much brainwashing tactics

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    Mute Bountyop
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    May 6th 2020, 5:19 PM

    @ciaran carroll: So what are you trying to prove? 0.5% infected so we should have kept calm and carried on? What is ‘magnitude’ to you? You seem to enjoy commenting that everything was unnecessary and it would have all been fine. I’m not brainwashed, I’m a medical professional. What qualifies you, oh wise one?

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    Mute Kath Noonan
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    May 6th 2020, 12:23 PM

    Seriously, businesses/livelihoods are being destroyed while big companies are being subsidised by the taxpayer. This is a joke. Open everything, back to normal, like Sweden. This is a virus that can be contained by hand washing, it’s not Ebola.

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    Mute ciaran carroll
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    May 6th 2020, 12:40 PM

    @Kath Noonan:
    Couldn’t agree more with you
    You like me have not bought into the mass scaremongering and brainwashing

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    Mute Bountyop
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    May 6th 2020, 1:18 PM

    @ciaran carroll: Don’t worry about droplet transmission through the respiratory system…a spot of hand washing will sort it out

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    Mute Bountyop
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    May 6th 2020, 1:21 PM

    @Kath Noonan: I think the Swedes are into vaccination though, are you sure you want to be like them?

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    Mute ciaran carroll
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    May 6th 2020, 1:35 PM

    @Bountyop:
    Droplets can pass through the mask
    I don’t want to be inhaling my own sneeze fluid or my own carbon dioxide so Il take my chances with the few droplets

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    Mute Bountyop
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    May 6th 2020, 5:21 PM

    @ciaran carroll: Droplets can pass through a mask- what’s your point? It’s to keep your snot from launching 2+ metres, not to protect you…

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    Mute Bountyop
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    May 6th 2020, 5:22 PM

    @ciaran carroll: just like the droplets can pass, your sneeze ‘droplets’ and CO2 will dissipate, you are an uneducated moron

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    Mute Ian D
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    May 6th 2020, 3:53 PM

    This plan might work for big city pubs but country/ rural bars that is mostly seats at a bar and about 3-4 table were 8 people would pack on it these guidelines haven’t a hope of work.

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    Mute Paul MacNamara
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    May 6th 2020, 10:56 AM

    In restaurants with alcohol people keep their distance . This can be maintained . In a pub where more alcohol being consumed social distancing , even with less people in bar , would be non-existent . Would need put customers into booths with doors and talk through the wall. Market fir confessional boxes!!

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    Mute joe oneill
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    May 6th 2020, 11:08 AM

    Pubs,construction sites reopening…..the politicians ties will get a good soaking next year in the hospitality tents at the Galway Races.

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    Mute Charles Coughlan
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    May 6th 2020, 1:25 PM

    I don’t drink much but don’t see a problem when the time comes if social distancing, common sense and the protection of staff and customers can be ensured, then again people would probably let their guard down after a few “badly needed pints” am I wrong, somebody is bound to correct me and tell me I’m being irresponsible..

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    Mute Ewan O'Doherty
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    May 6th 2020, 3:44 PM

    It would be very difficult to ensure social distancing in a pub after one or more have ‘had a few’… they could become obstreperous and unco-operative with other customers, or staff- whose health and safety is just as important. If what happened in Temple Bar before the shutdown was imposed is anything to go by, I doubt very much if pubs will be allowed to reopen too soon.

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    Mute Eddie Letmon
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    May 6th 2020, 5:11 PM

    Nobody flies in a steel tube. Try aluminium or composites.

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    Mute Will
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    May 6th 2020, 2:11 PM

    Will we hear the words “I think you’ve had enough sir” in an Irish pub for the first time in history?
    Also, how do you eject someone from a pub while keeping the 2 meter distance? Hurleys? A Shepard’s crook?
    Under current guidelines you simply cannot open the pubs.
    For the time being best to find a hobby of some sort.

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    Mute ciaran carroll
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    May 6th 2020, 2:23 PM

    @Will:
    Hopefully we won’t hear those words Will
    And hopefully the Hurleys will be back in use sooner rather than later

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    Mute european liberal
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    May 6th 2020, 2:48 PM

    I was always and am opposed to the lockdown so was against pubs or anything else closing in the first place.
    But based on where we are I see no reason why pubs should stay closed and cafes open. I think an idea would be to open actual pubs ie places with a normal pub licence and leave venues, clubs late night bars etc closed til August

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    Mute Michael Mcgregor
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    May 6th 2020, 9:43 PM

    Just goes to show, that as a nation we still have an pathetic relationship with alcohol. Basing our society around the importance of the pub rather than our health of our people is shocking

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    Mute Jane Alford
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    May 6th 2020, 8:12 PM

    Yeah, right, what could possibly go wrong? Intoxicated people? Lack of control? Close proximity? Tempers fraying?

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    Mute marie karugendo
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    May 6th 2020, 1:13 PM

    Without face mask

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    Mute Suzanne Rogers Tobin
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    May 7th 2020, 9:08 AM

    Everyone on here seems to equate pubs with drunkenness. What about people that just want a quiet pint? I think of old men supping Guinness because they have no one at home. Also where are the Publicans on this thread? What ideas have they got? Book a table for a meal could easily become book a table for a pint. Time limits on your stay. My worry is that a person who likes drinking would be preferred over someone who doesn’t.

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    Mute Sean Callan
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    May 6th 2020, 7:42 PM

    It’s not for pints but if Ur going to a restaurant Ur going to have a drink so pubs can open ?

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