RTE broadcaster Fran McNulty received widespread praise for his interview with the Finance Minister on Thursday night's Prime Time.
Paschal Donohoe appeared in studio after it was revealed that NPHET has given the green light for most Covid restrictions to be eased.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin will make an address to the nation on Friday with the majority of rules set to be lifted.
Minister Donohoe was questioned about Friday's announcement as well as the letter from the Chief Medical Officer.
However, he said he did not wish to speculate about the contents of a letter he had not yet read.
"Let me see the letter first. Within the day the government will communicate where we are," he said.
Prime Time presenter Fran McNulty grilled the Fine Gael TD on a number of topics, including the €1,000 bonus payment to frontline health workers and a gathering at the Department of Foreign Affairs during lockdown.
He also quizzed the Minister about the garda investigation into Tanaiste Leo Varadkar's leaking of a confidential government document to his friend Dr Maitiu O Tuathail.
However, Minister Donohoe did not offer an opinion on the matter.
Following the interview, viewers praised McNulty for his determined questioning and for pushing the Minister on a number of issues.
One person said: "@franmcnulty asking Pascal Donoghue all the right questions on primetime tonight. Some dodging but in general a good response by Pascal. Proper interviewing and journalism there from Fran. Never lose that skill."
A second said: "Credit to @franmcnulty for asking the questions. Thanks #rtept."
A third added: "#rtept Fran doing his job tonight."
Someone else said: "I've turned into one of your biggest fans! Way to go mentioning the investigation into @LeoVaradkar!"
Another person commented: "In fairness to Fran, he pushed him on a lot of topics, especially the bad optics of departments investing themselves....also on reminding him of Leo Varadker still under investigation by the gardai."
While one person simply said: "Excellent questioning."
