The Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture has said there will not be a free-for-all two week holiday at Christmas.
However, Pippa Hackett said that the Government wants everyone to have a meaningful Christmas where people can celebrate together.
Her comments come as discussions continue this weekend on an exit from Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions. Speaking on RTÉ's The Week In Politics, Ms Hackett said that the current Covid numbers are concerning and that the move the Government makes will be based on advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team.
She appealed to people to redouble their efforts to reduce the number of infections. Yesterday, the Department of Health was notified of four more coronavirus-related deaths