A Monaghan Councillor has voiced his concern over so-called "wet pubs" being left out of a new scheme that offers grants to facilitate outdoor seating.
Fáilte Ireland's Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme provides funding for tourism and hospitality businesses to develop their own outdoor seating capacity.
However, Raymond Aughey - who is also a publican - says it is "grossly unfair" that "traditional pubs" that don't serve cannot apply for this grant.
At a recent Monaghan MD meeting, he called on the Council to write to Fáilte Ireland to "point out this unfairness" and ensure that the scheme is "extended to all traditional pubs to ensure equality".
Councillor Aughey says there shouldn't be a divide between "traditional pubs" and pubs that serve food:
