Leo Varadkar has indicated that he wants to scrap the isolation requirement for close contacts who have received the booster vaccine and have no symptoms of Covid.
The Tanaiste made the comments ahead of Tuesday's meeting with the Coalition party leaders where they are set to discuss key changes to some of Ireland's public health measures as Covid cases surge.
Infection numbers remain high thanks to the Omicron wave with almost 17,000 new cases confirmed on Monday.
Mr Varadkar told Virgin Media News on Tuesday that he would like to bring in an exemption from self-isolation for close contacts who have received a booster dose and have no symptoms, saying: "There is a difference between somebody who has been boosted and somebody who isn’t".
Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan are expected to consider changes to the isolation period for close contacts during today's meeting.
Senior Government sources are frustrated that people who have their booster jab, are symptom free and have negative antigen tests, still had to isolate for five days if they were in close contact with a confirmed case.
It’s expected the party leaders will make changes to the rules people have to adhere to if they are close contacts.
Cabinet will meet on Wednesday to sign off on the changes but the Ministers are now also anticipating a second Cabinet meeting on Friday.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said Cabinet is likely to meet on Friday to respond to any restrictions recommended by Dr Tony Holohan after NPHET meets on Thursday.
Meanwhile, in a letter to hospital CEOs across the country, HSE boss Paul Reid has told them to prioritise emergency and Covid care over the next 14 days.
That means elective care can be “scaled down” where necessary, while private hospital capacity is also being used “to the greatest extent we possibly can.”
Thousands of people now face having their elective procedures postponed.
