Up to three households may be able to spend Christmas together as the Government consider plans to bring us out of Level 5 lockdown.
Christmas in Ireland is going to be very different this year due to restrictions from the coronavirus pandemic.
But for many families, there has been a glimmer of hope that they will be able to spend the festive season together.
The Government is expected to issue guidance about gatherings over the Christmas period, and the news would be a big boost to plans.
And while travel restrictions between counties are not expected to be lifted straight away, they are believed to be lifted around December 18 or 19 through to January 3 to allow families to meet up for Christmas and the New Year.
Yesterday, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said that there may a short period of "enhanced" restrictions in January or February.
The Government is currently meeting to decide on our next step when the Level Five lockdown ends on December 1.
A decision is expected on Thursday or Friday after NPHET makes its final recommendations later today.
Pressure is being piled onto the Taoiseach to reopen as much of society as possible, with the push on from retail and hospitality for early lockdown exits.
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