Irish pubs reopening plan - the key dates as pints to return sooner than expected with one condition

Outdoor pubs and restaurants will finally return on June 7, all going well.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin confirmed the news in a national address this evening.

In what was hailed as “a day of optimism and hope” by Minister Simon Harris on the way into the meeting earlier, the Cabinet has given the green light to intercounty travel, hairdressers reopening and sports training for adults from Monday week.

But most people were wondering when they'd get the chance to take a sup and shoot the breeze in the confines of a snug or over an outdoor table.

Here's what we found out from the Taoiseach.

When will we be able to have a pint?

Other services will return throughout May and in the early days of June

But the Taoiseach has confirmed that the big one will come on June 7th

All pubs and restaurants will be allowed to open again to serve, but only outdoors initially.

Sources told the Irish Mirror that Leo Varadkar told colleagues that the Government is “getting away” from the €9 substantial meal and a differentiation between “wet” pubs and pubs that serve food.

He said this will also apply to both pubs and restaurants when they are allowed to have customers indoors and that hospitality will “be treated equally”.

The Quay's Bar pub which is closed in Temple Bar, Dublin during the pandemic (Gareth Chaney/Collins)

But there is one crucial condition

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said he will be concerned about the coronavirus situation in Ireland throughout the month of May.

The Fianna Fail Minister said that the reopening of pubs and other June changes will be "contingent" on numbers staying down next month.

Speaking to reporters before entering Government buildings this afternoon, he said the decision to lift further lockdown rules as soon as next week is "largely is good news".

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"It is a good day, there are a lot of very positive measures," he said.

"I was saying last night I'm very concerned about people's mental health and about isolation for so many people.

"The main measures today being considered by Cabinet are a big step in the right direction, in May and another big step in June."

The Health Minister added that as the Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan and NPHET continue to advise, "we've got to be sensible about it".