Let us open the taps at night, plead pubs

DUBLIN pubs are appealing to Irish Water to ease restrictions heading into the busy weekend.

Donal O’Keefe, CEO of the Licensed Vintners Association, said the city’s hostelries are very busy during the summer and need water for cleaning during the 10pm5am ban which came into effect on Monday.

‘We [pub owners] are very substantial water rate payers and have been for years,’ he added. ‘We are asking that Irish Water relax restrictions for the weekend.’

Mr O’Keefe described water as ‘critical’ for pubs and added that business across greater Dublin are especially busy with tourists.

Grigita Janulyte, manager at Damascus Gate restaurant on Camden Street, echoed Mr O’Keefe concerns.

‘I’m really disappointed with the situation with the water,’ she said. ‘As a restaurant we are paying the water fees to the Government… it’s a disaster.

‘We have to organise the food preparation and clean-up is very important for the restaurant. We need water and we need our supply for it.’ Margaret Beskri, co-owner at La Cave Wine bar and restaurant on South Anne Street, said she was not surprised that restrictions had been imposed.

‘I think there have been a lot of leaks’, she added. ‘There was a leak outside our premises for about three years and nothing was done.

‘I’m hoping that right in the city centre that we’re not going to be too badly affected. We have coffee machines. If there’s no water we can’t make coffees.

‘We also conserve water a lot. We have to pay for water so we are very conscious of using as little water as possible.’