The Dáil has been told that Government plans to reopen indoor dining are "imperfect" but better than the only two alternatives.
Legislation to allow bars, restaurants and cafés to reopen for indoor service for those who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 is currently being debated in the Dáil.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said the alternatives to the Government proposal are either to re-open indoor dining without restrictions, or keep it shut until there is herd immunity from Covid-19.
It is "a middle path - a safe path", he said, and is the "best opportunity" to reopen indoor hospitality for the summer. The Government's approach is similar to what Denmark and Germany have been doing, and what other countries including France are moving towards