If the fine weather has you dining al fresco this evening - you could be contributing to the local council.

Dublin City Council made nearly half a million euro - €451,619 - in Street Furniture Fees last year, according to Fianna Fáil.

These are fees paid by cafes, coffee shops and pubs to put customer seating outside their premises.

City businesses currently pay €125 per table, a €100 annual fee and extra charges in pedestrian zones.

CEO of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce is Gina Quinn. She says local authorities need to remember outdoor dining is not the only thing costing the customer service industry:

Fianna Fáil Councillor Paul McAuliffe says the charges are an 'unnecessary burden', explaining “I am calling for a full review of the approval process, the charging scheme, and the parts of the city where these rules are applied,”