The Minister for Culture must intervene in the forced closure of the Silk Road Cafe at Chester Beatty Library as the business’ plight is escalated to the High Court by its owner, according to Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes.
Deputy Hayes said:
“I have been clear from the outset that the extended closure of the Silk Road Cafe at extremely limited notice was an unacceptable way for a small business to be treated.
“The news today that Mr Abraham Phelan has had to issue proceedings in the High Court about his business’ forced closure is deeply regrettable – this situation was completely avoidable had the Government taken action to address the real concerns raised by the Cafe and its owner.
“I called on Minister Patrick O’Donovan to meet with the owner of the cafe, Mr Phelan, to engage with him and find a solution last month. The Chester Beatty Library receives the majority of its funding from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
“There has been no response from the Minister or engagement with the Silk Road Cafe, which is now being forced to stop trading for 6 months as a result of decisions made by a body funded by his Department with very little notice. The cafe hires over 20 staff members, all of whom now face extreme uncertainty in light of this inaction.
“The Silk Road Cafe has operated in the Chester Beatty Library for the last 25 years. Previously, the cafe was only required to close for 14 days during Ireland’s last EU Presidency in 2013.
“The Presidency of the Council of Europe is a moment of significant importance to Ireland and our international reputation – it should not be marred by poor practices which disrupt the lives of workers and the viability of businesses operating in our city, offering no compensation and leaving staff in employment precarity.
“The Minister must meet with the owner of the Silk Road Café, find a solution that prevents or at the very least compensates for job losses and loss of business income for such an extended period of time, and chart a path for the long-term viability of the business that serves the public so well.
“Anything less is a gross dereliction of duty to the small businesses and private operators that serve the public in our national institutions.”
June 16th, 2026