New Christmas blow as the minister seems to rule out low restrictions for the holiday season

One minister appeared to rule out two weeks of minor restrictions in the run-up to Christmas.

Speculation has risen in recent weeks that Ireland could see measures softened from mid-December, and Taoiseach Micheal Martin said on Friday he was eager for the country to come out of the lockdown.

Ireland is likely to be placed on Level Three of the Living with Covid plan early next month, but the Government faces an increase in calls to open the country during the holiday period.

Now, the Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture seems to rule out such a measure, saying that opening bars and restaurants for a short time and then closing “does not suit any business model.”

Speaking on RTE’s This Week in Politics, Green Party Senator Pippa Hackett explained that the final decision will be made after receiving advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team next week.

She said: “I think everyone in the government wants everyone to have a meaningful Christmas, where people can celebrate together.

“But the way the numbers have gone, it has been disappointing to see that the levels of Covid, its spread, have not been reduced as we had anticipated at the beginning of Level Five.

“That is concerning and, again, it comes down to individual stocks.

“I met with my own Offaly Vintners Federation on Friday and there is deep frustration among innkeepers and indeed restaurant owners that they have put measures in place and are wanting to open … They are aware of the difficulties that this raises the government and will actually be based on advice from NPHET. “

She added: “We really need to see where we are going and see what the NPHET advice is next week.

“I think what companies and pubs are looking for is certainty. But this disease is so uncertain and it is very difficult for the government to provide any certainty.”

“We could have a situation where we reopen for a couple of weeks and then close, not in January. I don’t think it suits any business model and I don’t think that’s particularly the message we should send.

“We have a week or so to really buckle up, obey what we’ve been asked to do.

“Young and old should really come together to do this and ultimately we will have to act on the advice of public health and that is the most important thing.”