Talks about the return of indoor dining in Kilkenny and Carlow will start today

Restaurant and pub owners say they’re going into talks with the Government with an open mind and a blank sheet of paper.

The hospitality sector will hold discussions with Government representatives today in a bid to re-open indoor dining but members from NPHET won’t attend.

Pubs and restaurants across Carlow and Kilkenny had been looking forward to welcoming customers back indoors from today.

But an announcement from the Taoiseach last week put paid to those plans as concerns grew over the Delta variant of Covid-19.

Now those in the sector are hoping it can re-open by the 19th of July and can have a plan in place within the week.