A cabinet meeting may be held this Friday to discuss the easing of current pandemic restrictions.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) is set to meet on Thursday, with the government hoping for a positive outcome regarding the ability to ease restrictions on working from home and the hospitality sector.
The cabinet had been expected to meet next week regarding restrictions but government sources are now saying a meeting could be held this Friday depending on the outcome of the NPHET discussion.
As Leinster House reopens following the Christmas break, the first regular cabinet meeting of 2022 is set to be held on Wednesday.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has promised businesses that they would be given plenty of notice regarding any easing of restrictions.
Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne has called for the full reopening of the arts and theatre sector by the end of the month.
"Theatres and arts venues need to plan programming," he said. "As we are now moving past peak Omicron, and where all adults have had access to booster vaccines and where children can now be vaccinated, we should be giving notice for re-opening of vital cultural and entertainment facilities. Drama and music are going to play a vital role in bringing our communities back together."
Last week Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he is hopeful that the current restrictions on hospitality can be lifted at the end of the month.
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