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The Labour Party Leader, Alan Kelly says rural tourist spots should not be punished if pub openings are postponed.

The reopening of pubs on July 20 has been cast into doubt after scenes in Dublin's Dame Lane  when hundreds of people could be seen drinking takeaway pints in the packed laneway with no social distancing being observed.

 Independent Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae has said that people in rural Ireland are genuinely afraid they will be made to pay for the social distancing breaches. i

There is a good case to be made for different rules for pubs in rural and urban parts of the country, he told Newstalk’s Pat Kenny Show.

“If you were a small publican in a rural location who was desperately looking forward to turning on the light, maybe lighting a little fire in the corner and dusting down the cobwebs and opening the doors.

"They were looking forward to that and now they are afraid.

 To celebrate, the hotel has launched an initiative to give back to frontline staff with  50 luxurious overnight stays in the resort.

To date the competition has received over 20,000 entries and this week is the final week to enter, with the competition closing on 10th July. 30 frontline heroes have already been announced with 20 more winners to be selected.

 One of Europe’s largest holiday rental businesses has announced that it is pulling out of Ireland after 26 years.

 Cottages. com organises the rental of self-catering units, almost exclusively to British holidaymakers, one of Ireland’s most important markets .

The company’s parent group, Vacation Rental (UK) Ltd, has sent letters to hundreds of property owners in Ireland telling them that it will no longer operate here from the end of this year.

 “In light of Covid-19, we have had to review our business model and, as a result, will cease to trade in and will permanently suspend sale of properties in both Northern and the Republic of Ireland at the end of this year,” the company wrote in a letter signed by its vice-president of property recruitment, Shelley D’Arcy.

“This means we are hereby serving notice to terminate the agreement between us. Accordingly, your property (or properties) will not be advertised or available for booking on our websites.”

 The company said it would honour all bookings.

    

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government was unhappy about incidents at some locations over the weekend and warned plans for the next phase of reopening remained "under review".

Separately, holiday-makers will have to wait to find out which countries will open for non-essential international travel after the Cabinet postponed publishing a 'green list' until July 20.

Pubs that sell food were allowed to reopen last week but the remainder of licensed premises can't reopen until phase four of the Government's 'roadmap' due to begin on the same date, July 20.

 

Major concern has been sparked by videos that emerged on social media over the weekend showing hundreds of young people congregating to drink on Dame Lane in Dublin city centre.