Micheal Martin has said Ireland will be in a "very good position" come June, despite backtracking on the Government's vaccine targets.
Speaking to the country in March, the Taoiseach vowed to have four in five adults jabbed by the end of June, a promise that is now up in the air due to numerous setbacks.
Now, he is only going as far as to say that the country will be “in a very good position” by the end of the same month, and will be “pursuing” the target.
He added that without “further hitches” we will be in a “very robust” place.
This is very different to the stone-cold guarantee that was originally given in the March speech.
Speaking on Northern Sound/Shannonside radio, Mr Martin said: “The original target was to try to get to 80% target first dose by the end of June.
“Now obviously there have been changes to the schedule.
“There have been delays, we’ve lost a number of weeks because of the various advices and so on that have come in from NIAC (National Immunisation Advisory Council) in relation to AstraZeneca and indeed the cancellation of Johnson & Johnson, although that was low enough volumes.
“But we’re still pursuing that target, we’re still going after that target obviously.”
The rollout of vaccines so far has been plagued by supply delivery problems and possible side effect issues.
In the same interview, Mr Martin confirmed that he will make a full State of the Nation address on Thursday evening to outline Ireland's plans for the summer months.
But he would not be drawn about when hospitality could reopen.
His State of the Nation address will most likely take place shortly after 6pm.
Restrictions are expected to be eased on non-essential retail, personal services such as hairdressers, construction and religious ceremonies on a staggered basis throughout May.
Museums, galleries, libraries and some outdoor attractions will also reopen in May.
Mr Martin added: “We will look at hotels, bed and breakfasts and guesthouses in the month of June.
“We will make a comprehensive announcement on it tomorrow.
“The virus has devastated many areas of our economy. We are very conscious of that.
“Whatever we reopen we want to keep it open. That is the challenge. We are dealing with a very transmissible variant here.
“It’s about balance and being proportionate. It’s still out there – 400 cases a day.”
