The Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland has said that a quarter of Irish businesses will not reopen for indoor dining immediately.
Bars and restaurants are preparing to restart indoor dining on Monday.
However, speaking on RTÉ’s The Business, Mr Adrian Cummins said he estimates 25% of businesses are unwilling to operate under the current guidelines.
“That is my gut feeling based on listening to businesses,” he said.
A lack of staff is the “single biggest issue” for the hospitality sector, he added.
“We don’t have enough staff and we have to make sure we source as many as possible for our sector.”
He has said that the hospitality sector may need to renegotiate the guidelines for the reopening of indoor hospitality if they are not working properly from next week.
Mr Cummins said congestion at doorways is a potential pitfall and that a reduction in the paperwork that must be maintained for regulatory purposes due to the guidelines will be needed.