“The UK decision was a gamble, quite frankly, a gamble that we were not willing to take.”
Leo Varadkar has said that the reopening of nightclubs in the UK “would concern us greatly” as all restrictions are set to be eased in UK from 19 July.
Speaking to reporters at Government Buildings on Tuesday, he said that the decision to push back the reopening of indoor dining in Ireland was “the right decision.”
The Tánaiste said the Government is concerned about “packed” West End theatres and nightclubs as he described the UK’s decision to lift all coronavirus restrictions as a “gamble”.
“The UK decision was a gamble, quite frankly, a gamble that we were not willing to take,” he said.
“I think we made the right decision in Ireland last week to pause the reopening of hospitality.
“What was announced in Britain yesterday was, in my opinion, too risky.
“The prospect of packed theatres in the West End and nightclubs in Manchester packed to the rafters is one that would concern us greatly in this country quite frankly.”
Also on Tuesday, Varadkar also said that it would be “ideal” but “not certain” that indoor dining will reopen on 19 July.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s News at One he said that the Government will be “taking advice” from the new expert group on antigen testing, headed by Professor Mary Horgan, on the resumption of indoor activities.
He added that it is “not certain” that indoor hospitality will resume by 19 July, confirming that the plan was to have a memo for Cabinet by Tuesday.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
