The Garda Commissioner has said gardaí do not have the power under the health regulations to break up house parties or large gatherings if there are no breaches of the criminal law.
Drew Harris also warned of the dangers of an "authoritarian" policing response and said he would not be in favour of granting gardaí powers to enter people's homes.
The Commisssioner said gardaí did respond to the gatherings in Galway earlier this week, and also had to deal with several house parties in Galway.
These matters he said were "not catered for within the present regulations" but the gardaí were involved in persuading people to disperse, dampen down the ambiance of the occasion and encourage people to go home.