Even before the pandemic, the energy price shocks, and the cost-of-living crisis, there was a sense of despondency within Ireland’s restaurant industry. In the first two days of 2020, the Restaurant Association of Ireland (RAI), said that five restaurants closed for good, while Crowe Ireland, the business advisers, predicted at the time that as many as two restaurants a week would close their doors throughout 2020. As it turned out, the number was much less – largely due to the government’s Covid wage supports and the fact that tax debts could be warehoused. However, with the supports now closed, the…