Here's hoping anyway.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that matches and weddings may be able to make a return before the end of 2021. Speaking on The Hard Shoulder on Friday the Taoiseach said that he could see himself going to a match, having a pint, or going to a wedding again by the end of this year - however, he is "not precise" about what number of people would be allowed to attend. "At the end of 2021, I can. There will be a bit of nervousness around the autumn and winter period because I do believe there is a seasonality attached to this virus and related viruses," he said. "I think we need to just tread with a bit of caution through the winter, but, I do think we can open up over time. We need to do it cautiously." When pressed on if this meant a return to major sporting events, he replied: "Slow down now with 10,000, 15,000 people, I don't know how we're going to get there. "To put it this way, I can see spectators coming back at some stage, in what numbers I'm not precise about. I think vaccination has to happen to a significant degree, and there will be an evaluation of the vaccination programmes. What I can see happening is gradually we can open up sectors but once we open them, we want them to stay open." The Government will meet next week to 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.