As the Taoiseach descended the stairs of Government Buildings, by now well-worn by the burden of weighty pronouncements on Covid restrictions, he must have hoped it was his last time doing so for a speech on the topic that has dominated his time in office.
On at least 18 previous occasions (who, by now, is counting?) Micheál Martin took to the podium to announce much-anticipated updates on a complex set of rules that have come to govern our everyday lives.
This time, his words marked a big change in the approach from Government. Regulations are to give way to personal responsibility.
Legislation is to give way to individual liberties. And policy pronouncements will give way to personal choice. Starting next Monday, live sport and