The Government will meet next week to discuss a roadmap for the next phase of easing restrictions.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he is hoping to be able to "signal positive news" to hairdressers and barbers as of next week. The Taoiseach confirmed that the Government will make a decision on the roadmap for easing restrictions next week with personal services such as hair salons, and the return of non-essential retail, at the top of their agenda. Speaking to the Dáil on Tuesday, the Taoiseach reaffirmed his hopes for the reopening of salons. He said: "We hope to be able to signal positive news for hairdressers and barbers next week". The politician added that the Government will be announcing a further easing of measures next week, which will depend on advice from NPHET as well as their "own thinking". Martin also said he has met with church groups over the past number of weeks and is hopeful that the government will be able to look at the easing of restrictions on religious services soon. Some limitations on certain religious ceremonies such as funerals have already been looked at by the cabinet, with 25 people being allowed to attend funeral instead of 10 from 26 April. Addressing Deputy Martin Kenny he said: "I regard religious worship as a very fundamental right in any democratic society, and I think we should acknowledge that the application of very stringent public health emergency legislation does impose many restrictions on personal liberties and civil liberties. "We rarely, or in ordinary times, would impose such restrictions on people more generally. But a global pandemic is such a context, and it's the common good that must prevail in a global pandemic."