Leo Varadkar say Government not ruling out reopening indoor dining exclusively for vaccinated people

He also said it might encourage people to get a Covid-19 vaccine.

Leo Varadkar has said that the Government is not ruling out reopening indoor dining exclusively for vaccinated people.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio on Monday, Varadkar said he has "never ruled out" reopening indoor dining for fully vaccinated people only, however, he added there would be “quite a debate going down that route”.

“I’ve always said if you’re talking about a two or three-week delay and then it’s open for everyone that’s one thing," he added.

“But if it were an indefinite or prolonged delay I think most people in those scenarios would understand that if have to delay reopening for a prolonged period then it might make sense to make an exception for those who are fully vaccinated."

He also said that it might help encourage other people to get a Covid-19 vaccine.

Varadkar added that it would be “very difficult” for the Government to go against whatever advice that the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) presents on the 5 July reopening.

He said it would be "very unlikely" the Government won't follow the recommendations from NPHET on the easing of further Covid-19 restrictions. NPHET will meet today to consider its advice to Government on the continued easing of restrictions on 5 July. The group are expected to consider a variety of factors including the incidence of Covid-19 in Ireland, hospitalisations, vaccine rollout and the spread of the Delta variant. The Tánaiste said that the decision on the reopening is set to be made by Government on Tuesday.