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THE GOVERNMENT IS likely to scrap the €9 substantial meal rule which was in force last summer.
Speaking ahead of a Cabinet Covid sub-committee meeting this evening, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said there won’t be a distinction between wet pubs and pubs that serve food when the hospitality industry is allowed to reopen.
Last summer some pubs serving food were allowed to reopen alongside restaurants with a rule that a customer had to have a “substantial meal” to go with their pint.
So-called ‘wet’ pubs were only able to open for a few weeks in the autumn while in Dublin pubs in this sector never reopened at all.
The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) maintains the €9 meal requirement is an “outmoded regulation” and have previously called for clarification that it will not be re-introduced this summer.
When asked if the €9 substantial meal rule will feature for summer 2021, Ryan said:
“I think less likely, I think we’ve learned outdoors is safe, not whether you’re having chicken nuggets on top of it.
“We don’t want all those systems where people get a certain meal. It was a false kind of division. I think it will start outdoors because it’s much safer.
“I don’t think it will be whether it’s divided by food or not. Outdoors versus indoors will be the difference,” said Ryan.
It is understood that some ministers are pushing for outdoor dining to reopen at the end of May.
However, other sources state it is a “rumour” and they “don’t know where it is coming from”, with one stating that they would be happy enough with outdoor dining in June.
The Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Transport Minister will meet with health chiefs and government officials tonight to discuss the reopening of society in May and into the summer months.
Ryan told reporters today that the hope is to get hospitality back open in June.
Indoor dining is most likely not going to happen until later in the summer, he said.
Intercounty travel is also set to be allowed in June, indicated Ryan, who said:
“The opening up of hospitality is intercounty travel.
“The two are together so hopefully June we’ll see that the summer start, really, in earnest.”
While he said he did not want to give false promises for air travel, he said with vaccinations ramping up, there will be opportunities to travel in just a few months.
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Maybe so but can we put that into context by comparing it to our other many, many taxes? Not to forget that we have one of the highest costs of living in the EU.
DEEEEEEEEERP
2 car taxes
@Eimer already the motor industry is crippled, many households need two cars to get to work or live efficiently.
@Adam I meant we pay two taxes on our cars in Ireland unlike other countries.
Salaries in Ireland are among the highest in the EU as is the minimum wage.
They have to be higher…to pay the taxes!!
Is Ireland now obliged to compare every aspect of our peoples lives to that of other EU Countries .
It’s easy for ass holes on massive wages to say put up taxes by 2% . Let them go shopping in aldi every week and struggle to pay their mortgage month after month and have to cancel their health insurance because its going up constantly . At this stage I would be better off on the dole as they would pay my mortgage interest , Esb , heating and so on and would have more disposable income per week. This country is a joke
Government promised not to increase income tax that’s funny. Dose USC property tax water rates not all come from your income ????
Think they’re classed as indirect tax
USC was reduced by this government for low income workers.
Think it was the last government
No it was this government Scott.
The link you posted Scott is to Fianna Fail’s last budget which saw the introduction of the USC. The first budget by this government removed many low income people from the USC net. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_budget,_2012
It really annoys me when we are compared to other contrries. We must be the only place to pay twice for services. If your sick your prsi should cover you but it doesn’t. 50 euro for a doctor, dentists aren’t covered and you need private insieance.
You get nothing for your property tax where as in the uk they get a lot of loocal services like bin collection. Again something else we have to pay for.
The ERSI had better think of something else.
Shut up!
The ESRI. A bunch of out of touch hippies.
Can these people not put 2+2 together higher taxes would lower demand in the domestic economy (which is on its knees at the moment) which would lead to job losses which would lead to less income tax gathered and more social protection payments being paid out, bunch of idiots!! It’s the typical Irish solution to a problem
Well said. Most people will tell you it’s not worth working these days because you become a tax slave, just become unemployed and let the state take care of everything. Most people think the tax hikes are over but there just being dressed up as stealth taxes.
They would be a lot higher if the likes of Google, Facebook and the rest payed anything over 1% .
One wonders were the ERSI comes up with it’s figures and if those doing the reports actually live in Ireland and get to experience the indirect taxes and cost of living.
So according to this article http://www.thejournal.ie/irish-people-pay-above-the-eu-average-for-bread-fruit-and-potatoes-964484-Jun2013/ we pay above average for food. Did the ERSI factor in the additional revenues paid to the state from VAT when they were doing their sums?
As Drummer would say, “I pulled it out of my arse”.
There are no financial experts in Ireland.
Esri ‘academics’ live in a Docklands bubble. In the countries mentioned many services are free or heavily subsidised.
3 classes or workers, yet only 2 bands or tax.. Someone is not paying their fair share that’s fur sure !!
What about all the stealth tax, Universal Social Charge etc, I wish they would not fluff information
A lot of other European countries have;
Cheaper medicines and cheaper/free GP care,
Better hospitals, cheaper or no charge,
No need for health insurance,
Truly free education,
No schoolbook racketeering,
No ‘voluntary’ donations,
Much cheaper food,
Much cheaper or totally free childcare,
Longer maternity leave and paternal leave,
Shorter working weeks,
No USC,
No VRT,
Cheaper and better waste disposal.
Have I missed any?
Motor Tax – built in to price of Fuel (which is still cheaper than here!)
That is about it!! This report is a government move to prepare us for more tax rises in the coming budget… nothing more nothing less… no one actually believes what the ESRI actual say… it a state sponsored mouth piece!
Niall excellent comment, these ERSI muppets have been predicting our economic recovery incorrectly since the end of 2008. I think i’ll apply for a job with them- i’ve no relevant qualifications, barely read the papers but feel my predictions on economic recovery would be more accurate, i’ll even work for nothing, sure all I would have to do is ask the government what they’d like me to write anyway…job done!
Lower Tax and Higher living expenses!!
Not surprised to see this starting already…..budget time soon guys, if we even got a fraction of the services these other countries get for their contribution…….ours goes to line the pockets of fat cats who can’t get a job doing anything else.
Yep, right on time. As soon as it looks like the new ‘deal’ cutting public service pay is going to be passed, the kite flying for hitting the private sector starts. (And yes, I know this will hit the public sector once again as well).
Divide and conquer 101.
The ESRI is a goverment funded organisation that is completely out of touch with reality
and should be dismantled.
There was a time when the ESRI told the government to stop instigating a property bubble as it would blow up in the face of the whole nation, yet they were ignored by politician and voter alike. They haven’t always been terrible at their job.
Four researchers how much of our tax did these muppets cost bring on the revolution
Typo alert
“The Department of Finance has estimated that a 2 per cent increase on the top rate of tax (i.e. from 41 per cent to 41 per cent)”
41% to 41% .. hmmmmmmmm
haha.. Typo alert rectified.. LOL , now I look stupid.. Muwhahahahahahahahaha
The Department of Doly mixture Finance… you would get better math from 5 year olds… totally discredited state dept.. they only count accurately when it comes to getting their big payoffs!!!
The ESRI’ s answer to all our problems,even more tax,which means even less spending power for consumers and even more unimployment and a drain on the state,these so called intelligent people never cease to amaze,my area alone has 50pc less young people due to emigration,their tax proposals would likely just encourage the other 50pc to do the same.
Would the ESRI people clarify if their “calculations” include the USC in general and the pension levy applied to public servants as taxation? They are so quick to engage in semantics when it suits them. There should be no confusion when it comes to levies or tax. Both are a tax clear and simple. The ESRI have not included those figured in their calculations no doubt. We have one of the highest marginal rates of tax in Europe when everything is included. Nothing is ever completely clear with the ESRI.
ESRI are state and private corporate sponsored wafflers… this is state kite flying at its best!! Even the ESRI person on RTE Radio this morning did not sound very confident in the numbers being questioned… Not that RTE every really questions any one representing the state or Government!!
We the people of Ireland put up with enormous amounts of crap and poor decision making by our heartless state and puppet politicians!!!
A lot of countries also get more for their money. A tax increase here at the moment would be just to pay off the banks.
”the Economic and Social Research Institute found that other European countries – particularly Germany, Austria and Scandinavian countries – have higher taxes on income,”
they have – but they also have some of the best Education and medical services on face of planet .- unlike here where – bad as it was , these services have been cut further- to the bone in some cases .
Compare like with like – but they[ ESRI] would not like to do that – as they know the answers of such a comparision . .
”The researchers pointed out that the majority of the other EU countries don’t apply high income tax rates for those earning the most money, ”
—- now that does come as a shock – so they agree that the less well off should continue to subsidize the Rich .
—- A very surprising statment coming from the ESRI
ESRI, why dont you go and P*ss off and pick on someone else, leave the irish taxpayer alone for once.
I just wish the Irish Government had taken the advice of the ESRI during the property bubble.. No wait, they did.
The ESRI are a stain and embarrassment to right thinking people. They don’t have a clue what they are on about. Have they ever got it right? That is a genuine question. And if not, they should be sued for giving crap advice over the last 20 years.
Ah the good aul ESRI who when interviewed about the property tax some tme ago in the last word, Stated that a pensioner who cannot afford to pay the tax should sell there house and move to a place were the tax is less.
Ireland is one of the very few countries who are still growing. So the countries that have higher income tax, how does these compare with Ireland’s economic growth?
A lot of professionals are paying effectively ~55% tax on every increment above a middle income, which means bonuses, overtime, promotions are taxed to the hilts.
This country should focus on reducing costs, getting more value for money, reduce pension deficit (which is pretty high) and at the same time increase the standard of living for all people living here…. too unbelievable?
According to the department of finance figures the top 5% of earners (people earning over €100,000) pay 40% of the total tax paid.
Inflation is tax.
ESRI ?? What Jim Higgins said :-)
Why are you taking down honest accurate comments
what about the services we get in Ireland compared to Germany and Scandinavia? no health coverage, no public transport, no retirement contributions. I pay around 35% taxes for no benefits. I spend 50€ each time I go to the doctor and get antibiotics (which I have to pay) and 80€ a month for public transport. that’s a joke.
In Scandinavia, public transportation is my no means free.
€80 a month on public transportation is quite cheap (if you live and work in Dublin where transportation is good).
You also pay for Dr. and drugs in Scandinavia, although there is a maximum monthly limit.
35% is quite high and I think we should get more for our money.
Anybody on a salary or income of over €200,000 PA should pay 60 per cent Income Tax on the next €50,000 and 80 per cent on the excess over €250,000 PA.i
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