It's thought the government is seriously considering allowing fully vaccinated people to meet indoors next month.
A leading virologist has called for people who have received their full vaccinations to be allowed to socialise freely with others who have received their full vaccinations.
Liam Fanning, professor of immunovirology at University College Cork, said he thinks those vaccinated could potentially move about and "meet whoever they want".
"Those that are vaccinated could really be let more or less go out and meet who they want within their vaccine pods," Fanning told Newstalk on Tuesday morning.
"That's a given at this stage. They could actually go out and meet whoever they want."
Commenting on those who may be reluctant to receive a vaccine, Fanning added: “If you can see that people who are vaccinated are moving more freely that will be an incentive.”
Reports emerging from government on Tuesday suggest a similar measure is being seriously considered by cabinet.
From 12 April, it's thought that two fully vaccinated people will be allowed to meet up indoors, while it's expected those without vaccination will be limited to outdoor meetings only, however these must not take place in a private garden.
The Taoiseach is set to address the nation this evening regarding the current public health restrictions in place across Ireland, although any changes introduced are likely to be on a phased basis with few concrete timelines in place as of yet.
Among the changes being considered are a relaxing of the 5km travel limit, a return of outdoor sports where social distancing is possible, sports training for children, reopening construction and increasing the number of households that can meet outside.
