A group of restaurants and cafés are calling on the Government to allow a full re-opening on June 2nd.
This is the same date that restrictions on hotels and guest houses will be lifted.
Under the current plans, restaurants and bars can resume outdoor services with small groups from June 7th.
There is no resumption date set for indoor dining, except for overnight guests/residents of hotels.
A campaign on social media is asking people to send a letter to their local TDs on the "devastating impact" the severe restrictions are having on the hospitality sector.
It relates to a piece of legislation, due for renewal next month, which would extend powers related to the emergency health measures.
One of its organisers, restauranteur Paul Treyvaud, told Newstalk Breakfast they just want a level playing field.
"What we're calling on is every single TD, every Senator, every Councillor... is to not vote in favour of renewing this.
"The consequences if they do is that come next October/November/December, the tourism industry is going to be absolutely wiped out and decimated.
"We had no winter season, we've had no spring season, we're going to have a very limited summer season".
The only difference between success and failure is ACTION.
Here’s the link for the letter to send to all of your TDS. Send one to all your local TDS & even better if all your family do the same. We need everyone to support this #ThePlan https://t.co/xsjrTsE7Ym pic.twitter.com/bg5NcLGQ5c— Paul Treyvaud (@PaulTreyvaud) May 13, 2021
'Already decimated sector'
On the concept behind The Plan, he said: "What the whole concept of The Plan is we are looking to unite tourism of all its sectors - which is hotels, bars, restaurants, cafés, everything - to be opened up on the 2nd of June, the same as hotels, to do the exact same under the same guidelines as to what they're allowing hotels to do.
"Basically we're looking for a very simple level playing field.
"If this doesn't happen, particularly in rural Ireland, but it's happening everywhere across the country at the moment.
"The hotels - and don't get me wrong, I'm delighted they're allowed to open up on the 2nd of June - we just want to be able to do the same.
"The hotels are going to hoover up all the staff from an already decimated sector, that there's literally no staff around at the moment".
He added: "The ball is firmly in the court of the politicians now - we have given out a very comprehensive reasoning and argument as to why they should allow us to open up.
"It is now down to them.
"If they refuse to vote, and if they refuse to not continue the legislation, I don't want to be in position to turn around next October/November/December and say 'We told you so'".
