Local Election Snapshot: Restaurants and Dining Out

Eating out is influenced by where you live more than you might think.

In a new series of articles, News Talk I’ll bring you Local election snapshot In the run up to the June 7 election.

There are 31 local authorities in Ireland.

We provide hundreds of services ranging from roads, planning, housing, economic and community development.

One of the many issues they’re considering is restaurants and outdoor dining.

Restaurant Association CEO Adrian Cummins said everything businesses do has a cost, but local governments could potentially cut costs.

He said: “Local authorities can certainly lower the cost of doing business in terms of council rates, which is one of the biggest costs for any business.”

“Then there are ancillary costs that you have to pay on top of that.

“If you have a grease trap installed, which is called a FOG license (oil, fat, grease), you also have to pay that every year.

“If you play music on the premises, you have to pay a music royalty. If you have a one-time dance license, you also have to go to court to get it.”

Restaurant waiter, 15-5-13. Image: Images of Birmingham Premium / Alamy

Cummins said lowering these fees could reduce costs for consumers.

“These are all additional costs to the business, and if they are reduced or eliminated, there will be a knock-on effect on customers in terms of pricing.”

Cummins said local governments can help businesses simply by keeping their areas clean.

“The streets and sidewalks are clean and the trash cans are empty, just like what we see when we go on holiday to the continent,” he says.

“This is one of the big problems in our industry. We pay all these fees, thousands of euros every year, and we don’t receive quality service for it.

“If you’re not getting quality service, you need to take a serious look at it and outsource it to other companies and leave it to the commercial and private sectors.”

Google News “I support small and medium-sized enterprises”

Outdoor dining license fee exempted in 2023, Usually it costs 125 euros per table.

Mr Cummins said this was welcome.

“[Local authorities] There are still the same powers regarding the inspection of licensed areas for tables and chairs.

“The Minister for the Environment has decided there is no need to charge, which will be a huge benefit over the coming year.

“So, that’s welcome.”

Cummins said he wants voters to be aware of his candidate’s position on small businesses.

“We want to make sure we have pro-business candidates from our industry,” he said.

“We support small businesses, not just in the hospitality industry, but across the region.

“Without a vibrant town centre, village and vibrant community, your town or village will disappear.

“You can see where these small businesses are now under serious threat.

“That’s why we need to stand up and have a voice on behalf of small businesses in local government.”

Main image: People enjoying food and drinks on Capel Street, Dublin, June 2021. Photo credit: Leah Farrell/Rollingnews.ie