Leo Varadkar has told his party members that people may be advised not to cross the border once lockdown ends next week.
Speaking at a Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting on Wednesday, Mr Varadkar said that travelling to Northern Ireland may be discouraged for a period due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Tanáiste said the government needed “to be frank” with the advice they gave the public as Level Five lockdown is set to lift next week.
But some Fine Gael TDs again pushed for the reopening of wet pubs.
A party source said: “He was very direct and said we can’t be treating people like children.
“And we needed to be frank with the advice given that when we open up the reality is that we are going to see a rise in infections again.
“The Tanaiste highlighted there was no easy fix and people might think because there’s a vaccine on the way we can take more risks, that's not the case.
“But plenty of TDs and some Ministers did push for the reopening of pubs.”
It’s understood Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan, John Paul Phelan TD and Joe Carey TD called for measures to be put in place which would see publicans reopen their doors.
Mr Varadkar said the government is still consulting on what to do about the hospitality sector.
The Tanáiste also said the government is considering advising people not to travel to the North as part of their plans.
While Minister O’Donovan asked for clarity on churches and religious services.
Some TDs raised the issue that clarity was needed for clergy staff around what they can do if large families or groups show up.
The party also heard how risky the easing of restrictions could be when people gather together.
It’s understood one TD told how he knows of a case where 20 people attended a wedding recently and 16 tested positive in the week or two after.
Meanwhile, sources said Mr Varadkar said it would be the second quarter of 2021 before the Covid vaccine is rolled out to the population.
