Local Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley has hit out at a new rule which says that restaurants and pubs are required to keep a record of what meals were served for 28 days.
The Government is facing a massive backlash from publicans and restaurants over new regulations which require them to keep records of the meals ordered by customers and other details.
Both the Restaurants Association of Ireland and Licensed Vintners Association have written to the Data Protection Commissioner seeking a view on the new requirements, while Fianna Fáil TD Marc MacSharry hit out at what he described as “Stasi” guidelines.
In a message to members of his party, Mr McSharry called on the Taoiseach to reverse “police state restrictions” which he described as “authoritarian”, “unnecessary” and “ridiculous”.
The new rules, which came into effect on Thursday, will compel restaurants and pubs serving food to make a record of all meals ordered.
They must be able to make the records available to a member of An Garda Síochána for up to 28 days after the meal.
“The proposal to keep records of meals for 28 days is bureaucratic and completely disproportionate and will cause further difficulties for small businesses,” said Laois Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley in a statement today.
“There are already rules in place for pubs serving food and these need to be strictly enforced.
“The vast majority are complying with these and the small number who are not need to be cracked down on.
“The public also have a role in this and I am urging members of the public to only use businesses that are complying.
“Everyone is aware of what the rules are regarding hygiene and social distancing etc and that’s what needs to be maintained.
“The Government now need to withdraw this latest hairbrain proposal.”
