Leo Varadkar has said that Covid green certs may be the only way to reopen the hospitality sector during the Delta wave.
The Tanaiste confirmed this morning that a plan was being put in place to send out certificates which prove a person has been vaccinated or recovered from Covid in the last nine months to people.
And Mr Varadkar has signalled that these certs are the best option to reopen pubs and restaurants for indoor dining.
Speaking on Newstalk he said: "We would hope to be in a position to bring a proposal to Cabinet next Tuesday and that would facilitate the opening of indoor dining and other indoor activities on the lines that NPHET recommended.
"So at least initially it would be open to those who are fully vaccinated and those who have recovered from Covid in the last nine months.
"We're also looking at the issue of children because we don't want to split up families and the issue of potentially allowing people who have been tested recently."
Mr Varadkar said the government was taking a "cautious approach" that was in line with advice from public health officials.
He added that despite backlash from industry leaders he believes the sector would be able to enforce the use of Covid certs similar to how underage drinking laws are policed.
He said: "People will receive their Covid certificates in the post or by email in the next week or two so they will have evidence of vaccination or immunity.
"This is an industry that enforces the law around underage drinking and the smoking ban, and already takes the names and contact information of people who are coming for dinner for contact tracing.
"This may be the only we get the sector open during the Delta wave. This is the means by which we can open up even during this Delta wave and perhaps in future waves because we are in a different place now in this pandemic.
Varadkar said that the use of rapid antigen test for reopening the sector is currently under examination but added that it was not in line with advice from NPHET.
Speaking about international travel Mr Varadkar said that he hoped foreign travel would be able to return by July 19 however he warned there would be 'teething issues' at first.
Mr Varadkar added: "I think there's going to be issues around delays at airports. I would say to people that are flying to go to the airport earlier than you normally would.
"It's going to be quieter but there could be some teething problems.
"Crucially be aware of the rules applicable to the country you're going to. They may be different ,the rules, for returning to Ireland so you need to do your homework first. It's not going to be travel as we knew it.
"We have to get back to these things sooner or later. The virus and variants are going to be with us for a long time."
