Mary was delighted to be part of the committee to approve the legislation brought by Minister O’Brien to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government & Heritage removing the fees for hospitality businesses for outside tables, chairs & awnings. The legislation will also allow restaurants to continue to operate take away service.

This will facilitate such restaurants to continue operations and to provide food for consumption both on-premises (initially outdoor only) and off-premises, thereby enhancing the viability of their operations and assisting in the maintenance of jobs as Covid-related restrictions are eased on a phased basis over the remainder of the year.

The street furniture licence fee for installing tables and chairs to facilitate the consumption of food outside hotels, restaurants, public houses and other establishments is being reduced on a time-limited basis for the current year from €125 per table to €0 per table. There will also be no fee applied – on a permanent basis – in respect of the installation of awnings, canopies and heaters etc. provided in conjunction with outdoor tables and chairs which, it is now proposed to include under the street furniture licensing regime rather than the normal planning consent regime.

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