Lynn Boylan MEP has urged both the government and the European Council to intervene to stop a local café from being forced to close.
The Silk Road café, which this year celebrated its 25th anniversary, was told that they would have to shut for the entire duration of Ireland’s presidency of the EU due to their proximity to Dublin castle.
Lynn has written to Thomas Byrne, the minister of state for European affairs, and Thérèse Blanchet, the General Secretary of the European council to urge that something is done to accommodate the business.
The fact that they’ve been offered no compensation for this closure is “utter madness” according to the Sinn Féin MEP.
“With rising costs for both workers and local businesses, to effectively force a local café to shut down is a ridiculous move – and is not what people want to associate with our presidency of the EU.
“They’ve been accommodated before, during Ireland’s last presidency of the EU, so there’s no reason why a common sense solution can’t be found to help keep the café open.
“Ireland’s presidency of the EU should be an opportunity to tackle the rip-off energy prices, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and improve our grid.
“It should not be tainted by forcing a local business to close its doors, and not even bothering to offer them any supports.”
