Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said the move late last year from Level 5 restrictions back to Level 3 "turned out to be quick". Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Mr Varadkar said that this was the advice given to the Government by the National Public Health Emergency team.
He said: "I am not sure we would take that advice if that advice was to be given again, because that turned out to be too quick." He said the Government always listens to NPHET's advice but also has to take into account other factors, such as "people's constitutional freedoms" along with their livelihoods and what is happening around the world. "We will listen to and we will consider NPHET advice, but ultimately it is a decision of Government," he said.