Fans could return to matches at Aviva Stadium within two weeks of getting the green light from NPHET and Government.
A series of ‘test events’ to allow a restricted number of supporters into the Dublin venue are in the pipeline - when it is safe to do so.
A total of 18 games - football and rugby - have been played behind-closed-doors at Aviva Stadium since the pandemic prevented fans from attending.
And while there is no immediate return in sight, stadium director Martin Murphy believes plans can be rolled out quickly with Government say so.
Quizzed on how quickly ‘test events’ could become reality, Murphy said today: “Providing we have engaged with NPHET and the relevant authorities to make sure they are happy with our plans, it could be done in two weeks.
“We’ve taken advice and looked at what’s happening around the world and we’re confident that we can run matches safely provided the environment is right.
“We’re seeing things happening, such as the rollout of vaccinations, and I think there is a view that numbers are going down. That’s positive.
“We would hope that is maintained and when the numbers are right and down to a reasonable level we can start reintroducing supporters.
“But the numbers (of fans at games) would need to be substantial to justify the economic aspect of it.”
Speaking at a ‘Sport for Business’ event today, Murphy said the behind-closed-doors games allowed stadium chiefs to understand what is required in order to have fans back.
“We’ve run 18 matches behind closed doors in very tightly controlled circumstances between August and September,” he continued.
“That has given us a lot of experience and it’s given us the confidence that if we plan things properly, we can bring things back safely.
“In early December, people would have been relatively optimistic but then we’ve seen what has happened since.
“We’ve got to be mindful that we’re in the middle of a crisis and the crisis has got deeper over the last month. We’ve got to be realistic in our expectations.
This year, Aviva Stadium is set to host Six Nations games, World Cup qualifying matches and the American Football clash between Navy and Notre Dame.
And financial pressures will intensify if the majority of those take place without fans, depending on the pace of vaccination rollout.
Murphy said: “The longer this goes on, the more difficult it is for the stadium and I'm sure for everyone else. We need to start turning the tap on in terms of getting revenues flowing again. But that is a financial consideration.
“But the bigger consideration is health safety and ensuring that we can run these events safely when it is time to do so.”
Meanwhile, new FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill says the association remains committed to hosting four Euro 2020 finals games in Dublin this summer.
But it is looking increasingly likely that UEFA could scrap its plans for a trans-European tournament and host it in one country instead.
A decision is expected on March 5 and Hill said today: “It would be foolish to say that there aren't challenges to the concept.
“In Ireland, we’ll follow government advice and directives from NPHET so we can deliver, fingers crossed, the maximum number of attendees into the stadium.
“UEFA has some big decisions to make, even if it has to happen behind-closed-doors but I don't think that will be the case.”
And Hill added: “In relation to our own World Cup campaign, fingers crossed we can have 54,000 Irish fans in the Aviva Stadium driving us on in World Cup qualification.”
