Ballinlough restaurant owner calls for easing of hospitality restrictions

A Roscommon business owner is hoping hospitality restrictions will be lifted this week.

Ray O'Connor from The Old Stone House in Ballinlough believes pubs and restaurants should not be subjected to an 8pm closing time for much longer.

He says people are ending up at house parties when restaurants are offering a much safer environment with controlled measures.

NPHET are due to meet on Thursday to discuss the status of restrictions, with Tánaiste Leo Varadkar stating he's in favour of easing measures on a phased basis.

Speaking on the Joe Finnegan Show, the Ballinlough restauranteur said it's ridiculous to keep businesses at reduced opening hours.