“The older age cohorts have been protected, so all of that has to feed into the decisions that we take in respect of this.”
Micheál Martin has given a hopeful update as he confirmed that the decision on the proposed 5 July reopening of indoor dining will be made early next week.
Speaking on RTÉ's The Week in Politics on Sunday, the Taoiseach said the decision will come "much shorter than originally anticipated".
“I spoke with the Chief Medical Officer and Nphet will meet earlier this week now and in advance of the Cabinet meeting (on Tuesday),” he said.
“We're looking at earlier this week, much shorter than originally anticipated.
"The calculus is different now. The risk is different now than at Christmas time. We have 2.5 million people fully vaccinated now, with close to 4 million overall vaccines doses administered between first and second doses.
“The older age cohorts have been protected, so all of that has to feed into the decisions that we take in respect of this.”
He added that he undertstood “just how difficult and devastating the last year has been for hospitality in particular."
He said: "We get that, and we also understand the need to give early notice. They will know a little bit earlier than they had anticipated.”
