Minister Paschal Donohoe was “appalled” by the amount of people gathering in Dublin yesterday.
Large groups of people were seen in various locations throughout the county, including green areas in places like Portobello, Milltown, the Grand Canal and Stephen's Green.
The Finance Minister warned that these types of gatherings could “unravel the progress we are making” in the fight against COVID-19.
Images and videos have been circulating on social media with very little social distancing visible in various areas of Dublin, while some locals also complained about the amount of litter left behind afterwards.
The scenes emerged as ministers were meeting to discuss the easing of restrictions.
Minister Donohoe told Newstalk: “They are appalling scenes, and it’s exactly the risk of that kind of behaviour that runs the risk of unravelling the progress we are making… and making it even more difficult to get to a better place for our country in the coming weeks and months.
“It is the kind of behaviour that poses a risk to all involved in it and their loved ones… and the repetition of it in the coming weeks and months would directly undermine our ability to beat this disease.”
He said he had no information about whether gardai responded to the scenes.
However, he added: “I would imagine they were on their way. I know the moment they’re notified of behaviour like that, how seriously they take it.
“I see it directly in parts of my own constituency that would have green areas and a canal running through it… that if behaviour like that happened both suppliers of alcohol and gardai take it very, very seriously.
“It’s shocking behaviour, and I know gardai would have responded back as quickly as they were aware of it.”
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach promised to ramp up the rollout of vaccines as he predicted that the nation will fully reopen by the summer.
Among the measures confirmed yesterday were the phased return of the construction sector along with outdoor sports for under-18s.
The 5km travel limit will be scrapped with people allowed to travel within their own county or with 20km of county borders.
Two households will be able to meet in an outdoor setting or indoors if both have been fully vaccinated.
And looking ahead to later in the year, Mr Martin set out a roadmap for the return of retail, hotels and pubs, saying they are likely to return by July when six million vaccine doses will have been administered.
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.
