This morning.
Dublin Castle, Dublin 2.
Arriving for a cabinet meeting to agree arrangements for the possible lifting of restrictions this Friday were, from top: Minister Eamon Ryan, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Meanwhile…
The National Public Health Emergency Team has advised that existing restrictions on hospitality should stay in place for several months.
If adopted by Government, it would see basic measures such as mask wearing, social distancing and Covid certificates remain in place until around spring 2022.
However, the NPHET advice does provide for ways to be found to allow other venues such as nightclubs open safely, including through the use of the Covid certificate.
This Friday was due to see an end to the requirement for physical distancing, or mask wearing outdoors, or indoor, in private settings.
There was also to be an end to the need for certificates of vaccination, or immunity or proof of having contracted Covid-19, for access to or engagement with any events.
Last night, coalition party leaders considered the NPHET advice and Government today must decide if some of the outstanding pandemic restrictions will be altered on Friday.
NPHET advises hospitality restrictions should stay (RTÉ)
Leah Farrell/RollingNews