President Michael D Higgins signs indoor dining legislation into law

The President's signature is another step towards the partial return of indoor hospitality.

President Michael D Higgins has signed legislation into law that will allow indoor hospitality in pubs and restaurants to return for those fully vaccinated or people who have recovered from the virus. It comes after the Health (Amendment No.2) Bill 2021 was passed in the Dáil and Seanad last week. The government has previously indicated that indoor hospitality will resume next week on Monday, 26 July. A statement from the President's Twitter account on Wednesday read: "Having considered the Health (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2021, the President has signed the Bill and it has accordingly become law."

Having considered the Health (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2021, the President has signed the Bill and it has accordingly become law.

— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) July 21, 2021

Meanwhile, Cabinet is meeting today to discuss the return of indoor dining following the final agreement on draft guidelines between government officials and the hospitality sector on Tuesday. It is expected that time limits for those permitted to eat and drink inside bars and restaurants will be scrapped but that there will be a closing time of 11.30pm. It has also been reported that unvaccinated children will be allowed to dine with adults as long as their table is situated two metres away from other tables. Meanwhile, the government is said to be working on an app that will enable pub and restaurant workers to verify if a patron has been vaccinated against or recovered from Covid-19. The Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) said yesterday's talks between senior government officials and the hospitality sector were "productive" but that "there remains details to be finalised."