Primary legislation will be needed to ensure that pubs and restaurants can serve alcohol outdoors, RTÉ News understands. It follows ongoing discussions between the Minister for Justice and the Attorney General on the issue.
Yesterday, the Garda Commissioner advised his officers to use discretion on outdoor drinking while continuing to respond to public complaints about things like public order and noise.
However, given that the Government has provided extensive funding to allow for outdoor hospitality this summer the matter has been scrutinised for the last few days.
Now it is likely that clarity will be brought to the matter with legislation that would quickly be progressed through the Dáil and Seanad, most likely next week.