Authorities at two Irish airports are in talks about opening pre-departure Covid-19 testing units for fliers which would pave the way for easy travel during the pandemic.
It's understood that the authorities behind Dublin and Cork Airports are both in talks about establishing the testing facilities.
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar confirmed on Wednesday that the Republic of Ireland would join the EU's proposed plan to stop the restriction of travel which could see passengers taking tests days before flying.
If talks are successful, these testing methods could be introduced in October in line with the EU's new travel plan but any final decision on pre-flight testing would be up to the Government.
A spokesman for Dublin Airport said: "We’ve proposed a pre-departure COVID test system for high risk locations to coincide with the introduction of the proposed new EU ‘traffic light’ travel framework.
"We’re also working with health experts to provide a testing centre here."
He added: "Our proposals have been outlined to the Government department and other key agencies and discussions are ongoing.
"We support the adoption of a new EU 'traffic light' system, but it should also be accompanied by an EU testing protocol for travel.
"Decisions regarding testing will be made by the State."
The EU is proposing to grade different regions as green, amber or red according to their Covid infection and transmission rates, with green being the lowest risk and red the highest.
Passengers going from Ireland other EU countries could be obliged to have a confirmed negative Covid test result before travelling.
And those arriving here from other parts of the EU could require a confirmed negative test to fly to Ireland.
