Commuters face a fine of up to €2,500 or six months in prison if they don't wear a mask on public transport from tomorrow.
People will not be allowed on a bus or train without a face covering from Monday.
The move was announced by Micheal Martin in one of his first major policy decisions as Taoiseach. He warned: “If people persist in disobeying, then gardai can be called.”
People who do not comply with laws that make face coverings mandatory on public transport could face fines of up to €2,500 and/or six months in prison.
The new legislation, which was signed earlier this week, means that if a person does not comply then a driver or inspector can alert gardai.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said if people persist in disobeying, then gardai could be called, but the Government did not envisage that this would be necessary.
If the person fails to cooperate with gardai, they can face arrest and prosecution, which could lead to a €2,500 fine and/or six months in prison.
He said the Government will encourage people to wear face coverings in crowded indoor gatherings and where social distancing is not possible.
Labour transport spokesman Duncan Smith said that making the wearing of face masks mandatory is welcome, but that further action is needed, such as free coverings.
He added: “This directive is not enough, we also need a clear advertising campaign educating citizens on the proper usage of face masks.
“Free masks should also be provided at train and bus stations, health care settings, work places and our secondary schools and colleges to build compliance and also to consider the provision of masks to each household.
“This would cost around €60million but would be a welcome investment for the months ahead. However, it is not yet clear who will police the mask wearing.”
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said this will be worked on over the weekend.
National Bus and Rail Union general secretary Dermot O'Leary said that his members, bus and train drivers, will not be making people wear face coverings.
He added: “I’m very clear who should be policing the laws of this land, and that is the gardai.”
For the latest news and breaking news visit dublinlive.ie/news.
Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @DublinLive - the official Dublin Live Twitter account - real news in real time.
We're also on Facebook/dublinlive - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the capital.
