Simon Harris has said that local councils need to 'up their game' in preparing areas for outdoor gatherings saying 'finger wagging' wasn't the solution.
The Higher Education Minister was speaking following intense criticism for local authorities for their lack of preparation to handle large crowds of people gathering
Crowds of people lined the streets of Dublin city last weekend but a focus being put on the idea of an outdoor summer, many have lashed out at the councils saying they have not provided adequate facilities.
Dr Tony Holohan sparked fierce debate over the weekend when he slammed the scenes on South William Street describing crowds out socialising as “shocking” and has said it was like All-Ireland day.
Minister Harris defended the Chief Medical Officer saying that local authorities need to do more to plan the reopening of the country.
Speaking on RTE's Morning Ireland he said: "I think Dr Tony Holohan has just steered our country through a very difficult time and I've nothing but praise and gratitude for his work.
"On the broader issue I think our councils really need to up their game in this regard. In Dun Laoighaire Rathdown they seem to have done a very good job preparing, some [councils] haven't.
"I do think we're going to be at a different situation when the reopening of outdoor dining and outdoor pubs starts from Monday.
"I think what happened last weekend, and this is not in any way a judgement, we had really good weather we had lots of people who wanted to meet up and see people outdoors, they had been told outdoors was safer and they didn't have many places to go.
"And that caused congregation. So rather than finger wagging I think we have to look at how do we better prepare for that.
"How do local authorities better prepare and I do think as we see more places open now there will be more places for people to meet."
Public spaces in Dublin and Cork have been blocked off with barriers in a bid to prevent people congregating on the Bank Holiday weekend sparking major backlash.
In a statement, the Office of Public Works (OPW) said the barriers were put up to “protect vulnerable historic features from vandalism and anti-social behaviour.”
A spokesman said they are appealing to the public to respect the Green, staff and other visitors and “to bring their waste home with them and to behave responsibly when in the Park.”
