Taoiseach Micheal Martin is expected to announce a major lifting of restrictions on Friday as pubs get ready to pull pints late into the night again.
Current Covid-19 restrictions are expected to be lifted “soon and as quickly as possible” but the Government is waiting on guidance from NPHET on whether pubs can return to normal trading hours or should they close at midnight.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan and NPHET will meet on Thursday and Government Ministers are expecting Dr Holohan to give the green light to lift the remaining restrictions on a phased approach.
Mr Martin has confirmed that Cabinet will meet again on Friday to give clarity to the public and to businesses and he will make an announcement.
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 in the media term 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 has 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.
Minister Ryan said 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 championship games.
Couples planning to get married soon are also expected to be given the go-ahead to have more guests at their nuptials as the current limit of 100 guests will be lifted.
A Cabinet Minister told the Irish Mirror on Wednesday night that they expect all restrictions to be removed in the coming weeks.
The legislation which keeps Covid passes in place and other legal restrictions is due to expire on March 31.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the current outlook is encouraging and he would like to see the measures lifted to the fullest extent possible as quickly as possible.
Speaking to reporters at Government Buildings on Wednesday, Mr Varadkar said that he hoped within a few months the State may be able to treat this virus as we treat other respiratory viruses.
He said he is confident that Government can lift restrictions now quickly over the next number of weeks.
The Fine Gael leader also said that he did not agree with employers asking employees for their vaccination status.
He said: “I would be reluctant to ask employers to ask employees about their vaccine status. “Why would they not ask their staff about other vaccines (in that instance)?
“There might be a case with regard to exceptional cases where people are working with immune-compromised people.”
Minister Donnelly also said the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac) was examining whether a fourth dose of vaccine for vulnerable groups would be needed.
