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The talks will continue on Sunday about Covid-19 restrictions that will be in effect for Christmas with Level 5 ending on December 1.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said on Friday he was eager for the country to come out of the lockdown, although no agreement has been reached on who will replace it.
Hopes are growing that the country will move to Level 3 on December 1 with a specific regime for the two weeks around Christmas.
The three coalition party leaders are due to discuss the plans Monday with the National Public Health Emergency Team, which will also meet before a final decision is made.
(Image: Gareth Chaney / Collins)
The government is also expected to provide guidance next week on people traveling home from abroad for Christmas, according to the EU traffic light system that classifies risk.
A source said: “It is too early to say what the outcome will be and we have to weigh all the factors, including public health and the economy.
“But chances are high that people will be allowed to cross county lines to visit loved ones at Christmas.
“What we could finish is two weeks of relaxed measures, in the run-up to Christmas and the New Year.”
Masses and other religious gatherings are also expected to be allowed during the holiday season.
On Friday, the Taoiseach stated that he wants to leave Level Five on December 1 and believes that we can have a “meaningful and enjoyable” Christmas.
The leader of Fianna Fail said there will be a strong emphasis on “orientation” rather than applying the garda during the festive season.
He told Virgin Media News: “We want to get out of Level Five on December 1 and not go back to Level Five, that would be our goal.
“As for the Christmas week period, will gardai knock on doors on Christmas Eve? No, they won’t clearly because one has to understand the limits of government interference with families at a time like Christmas.
“So there will be a strong emphasis on guidance and a specific communication campaign around that.”
On possible changes to the current 5km travel limits, the Fianna Fail leader added: “We would like to see some relaxation, but again I must not get ahead of the government on that.”
But Martin stressed that this “would not be a normal Christmas.”
He continued: “It will not be a normal Christmas, but it can be meaningful, enjoyable and safe, we have to adjust and adapt.
“And I think there will be a lot of emphasis on the orientation aspect of this during the few days of Christmas itself.
“The precise way we get out of Level Five has yet to be determined and the government will discuss that next week.”
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