This week is a big one for Ireland as the country takes another step of Level 5 restrictions and gets set to announced an updated plan for easing lockdown measures.
In terms of the Taoiseach's address to the nation, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) are set to meet on Wednesday before making a recommendation to Government that evening.
From there, a Cabinet sub-committee involving the three Governmental party leaders and a number of other ministers will make the decisions, bringing them to the full Cabinet on Thursday before Mr Martin addresses the nation.
With various industries and sectors looking for further clarity with regards to a date they can reopen, this week's announcement will be significant in terms of Ireland's immediate future.
However, the status of Irish pubs and restaurants has been an area of strong interest and here's what's know.
The likelihood is an outdoor summer
While nothing official has been confirmed, the message of an "outdoor first" approach from various minister has been more prominent.
In an interview with RTE, the Taoiseach said the Government wants an end to "stop-start" closures of retail and hospitality, adding that the "theme" for the coming months will be the outdoors.
The Fianna Fail leader added that the easing of measures to bring people back together outdoors was "critical" because it is "less harmful", before noting that the Government understands "the danger of indoors".
He told RTE: "We're going to continue to follow the science and of course outdoor is the theme for the summer. Government is committed to that - that is the Government's position as well."
Minister Simon Harris also said he's optimistic that restaurants, gastropubs and pubs will be able to reopen and provide outdoor service this summer, without the need for a substantial meal.
Speaking with KCLR, the Wicklow TD was asked about his recent comments where he expressed his hope that the government will allow people to do "a little bit more outdoors" this summer.
When asked if he could provide a specific date by which people could eat outside in a restaurant or bar, Minister Harris said: "This is an area I'll get into trouble if I over-speculate on because I don't know the answer yet but I don't see why we won't be able to do that during the summer months. We managed this last summer.
"This summer, we obviously have the benefit of vaccines as well. I've been making the point in recent days that the outdoors is pretty safe. And we're already seeing people being able to meet at a picnic bench and have a picnic with someone from another household. That's not much different than outdoor dining in my view."
Elsewhere, Tànaiste Leo Varadkar said that if the country keeps going in the right direction, outdoor dining and drinks will be possible.
“We would expect to be in a position at the end of April to give an indication as to how hospitality might reopen across the course of June or July. We have no deep detail on that yet, but the evidence is that outdoor dining is much safer than indoor, but it is hoped to get to the point where both will be possible. And, you know, I'm increasingly confident that it will be possible,” he said.
Will an outdoor summer satisfy publicans?
Publicans have previously called for all pubs and venues to open for outdoor service from May 24.
The Licensed Vintners Association urged their members to contact politicians to ensure they can resume trading next month.
Chief executive Donall O’Keeffe said: “The Government risks being left behind by the public if they do not permit outdoor service to resume for all hospitality next month.
"The levels of outdoor socialising are going to rise either way in the coming weeks as the weather gets milder and the public health situation improves. Really the choice is whether to have increased levels of outdoor socialising take place in the controlled settings provided by hospitality or leave it unfettered and uncontrolled in public spaces, without any facilities.
“It is widely acknowledged that outdoor activities are relatively safe and given the expected progress of the vaccine rollout we believe the end of May would represent a reasonable timeframe to permit this activity.
“It is fair to say the hospitality sector has been hit particularly hard by the pandemic, but even within our industry some have struggled more than others.”
Continuing on this theme of outdoor first, Daniel Smith, a publican at Grogan's Bar in Dublin, has also called for the early reopening of beer gardens in Irish pubs.
"We're looking at opening outdoor first, and hopefully we can get that, and that'll go well and things will run successfully. And then following on from that, maybe three or four weeks down the line, we'll get our indoor back open. But lessons have been learned from Christmas, we've got a critical mass of our elderly and vulnerable vaccinated now," he said.
While nothing official has been confirmed, it's clear that government ministers and publicans are both favouring an 'outdoor first'. However, taking into account Minister Harris comments that the substantial meal ruling ultimately proved to be a bit of a "mockery," the possibility of being able to just order drinks alone and have them outside could be on the agenda.
What date is being rumoured?
Earlier this week, a senior Government source told the Irish Mirror: “June 10th is the date that has been mentioned for hotels (reopening).
When asked if this included plans for hotels, pubs and restaurants, the source added: “Yes, hospitality included.”
However, the reopening of hotels, which would include bar and restaurant service for guests, could pose problems for the Government if other pubs and restaurants remain closed.
When asked about the June 10th date, another source said: “That would be the optimistic date some are looking at, yes, but depends how things go.”
A further source said waiting until after the Bank Holiday weekend (June 5-7) would “be wise” given that Covid-19 case numbers seem to have stalled in recent days.
Regular indoor dining will most likely not be reopening in June in these outlets, which could lead many to protest against the favouritism being shown to the hotel industry.
However, it is expected that outdoor dining will return sometime between the end of May and the middle of June.
What about traditional pubs opening and indoor service resuming?
As mentioned previously, outdoor service seems to be the immediate target and the LVA are hoping that this will lead to the potential return of normality to the pub sector.
Chief executive Donall O’Keeffe said: “It is widely acknowledged that outdoor activities are relatively safe and given the expected progress of the vaccine rollout we believe the end of May would represent a reasonable timeframe to permit this activity. That should be followed by indoor service resuming in June as more of the population is vaccinated and is in line with the reopening of hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs.
"The risk profile for indoor service is the same in all hospitality settings and we will not accept any move to prioritise the reopening of certain sections of hospitality over others.
The official announcement by the government will take place later this week.
What's the latest from health experts?
Speaking this evening, Dr Tony Holohan said: "It is important we continue to remain vigilant and careful. Right now, we need to protect the progress we have made together.
“While we should remain cautious, we can also be cautiously optimistic. Our vaccination programme, alongside the continued commendable adherence of the vast majority of people in Ireland to the public health advice, is the key to exiting this pandemic in the coming months.
However, doing things like mixing indoors when the disease is still circulating at a high level puts our progress at risk. Please continue to act in the best interests of one another and be safe when socialising.”
