As the country trudges on with strict lockdown restrictions there is light emerging at the end of tunnel.
Hope continues to grow that Ireland can see some significant restrictions eased as the vaccine rollout continues.
And while May will likely see the return of non essential retail and personal services, people all across the country have been clamouring for the reopening of pubs.
Here's what we know so far about the prospect of the pubs reopening.
Opening date
As of yet there has been no official date given for the reopening of pubs. under current Government guidelines there is no measures in place for the reopening of pubs in May.
The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) has insisted that the government allows all pubs – traditional and gastro – as well as other hospitality venues, to provide outdoor service from the week beginning May 24.
Minister Simon Harris said that there is “the potential for more” restrictions being eased in May than what has already been indicated.
When pressed by the Irish Mirror about what the potential "for more" meant, and if it could involve an early return of outdoor dining, the Minister agreed, as he said he witnessed safe outdoor activity in his own constituency, Wicklow.
Mr Harris said: “I think there might be the potential to do a bit more in May.
And then he crucially added: “things like outdoor dining and the likes.
Decision day
Once again the government has remained quite tight lipped on giving a definitive date when a decision will be made on opening pubs.
However it may be as soon as next week.
Minister Harris admitted that he wasn't in a position to answer when that decision would be made but said the Government would need to answer those questions next week,
Meanwhile Fine Gael are reportedly pushing for the reopening of 'wet' pubs to serve outdoors while Tánaiste Leo Varadkar issued a lockdown boost on Instagram last night.
There is hope that these pubs could reopen at the same time as bars serving food by the end of May or June.
Speaking on Instagram on Tuesday, the Fine Gael leader said that "we'll be able to set out what can open in May and give some indication as to whether things will open in June or July."
Key quotes from leaders
While there are much hopes for the return of pubs at some stage in May Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has signalled that it is very unlikely.
The Fine Gael leader said evidence in recent days has shown there is a decline in Covid-19 cases dropping and even increasing slightly.
He said: “We’re still in a space of phased reopening of retail, personal services and some more outdoor activities being allowed and the full opening of construction being phased over May, early June period.
“I don’t think it’ll be much more than that to be frank.”
