Taoiseach Micheal Martin is expected to announce a major lifting of restrictions tomorrow as pubs get ready to pull pints late into the night.
Current rules are expected to be removed “soon and as quickly as possible” but the Government is waiting on guidance from NPHET on whether bars can return to normal hours or should close at midnight.
Dr Tony Holohan and other NPHET members will meet today and ministers are expecting the Chief Medical Officer to give the green light to lift the remaining restrictions in a phased approach.
Mr Martin confirmed Cabinet will meet again tomorrow.
He said: “We will give clarity to the public at large and to the various interests that are obviously very concerned about the situation and want that clarity.
“Obviously the Omicron situation, the manner in which that has happened, the widespread nature of its transmission and so on and the fact we’ve managed so far to weather that storm, gives us grounds for optimism... right out to March.
“We have to be mindful of course of other variants that may come and also the fact that even now disease levels relative to previous waves are still fairly high. But that said, we can be optimistic about the medium-term.”
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said some restrictions, such as the 8pm closing time for pubs and restaurants, will be lifted first.
Decisions have to be made on removing the six per table rule and whether drinkers can return to sitting at the bar. Mr Ryan added it likely won’t be this weekend but changes would happen from next week.
It’s also expected that a greater capacity will be permitted at outdoor events which will be positive news for rugby fans ahead of the Six Nations.
Couples due to get married are also expected to be given the go-ahead to have more guests as the current limit of 100 will be lifted.
A Cabinet minister told the Irish Mirror last night they expect all restrictions to be removed in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the National Immunisation Advisory Committee was examining whether a fourth dose of vaccine for vulnerable groups would be needed.
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