Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has indicated indoor hospitality could reopen before July 26.
Mr Varadkar was speaking at the RDS count centre for the Dublin Bay South by-election.
He said the hospitality industry has told the Government that they are keen to reopen as soon as possible and added it would be July 19 at the earliest and July 26 at the latest.
He said primary legislation will be needed to adopt the Government’s policy on how they can reopen in line with advice given by NPHET.
He said the legislation will need to be passed through the Dáil and the Seanad before President Michael D Higgins has time to read and sign the bill into law.
He said July 19 is a target that the Government will try to reach, but admitted this would be difficult.
Mr Varadkar said he thinks the Government could make it happen before July 26 and a date between July 19 and July 26 is likely.
He told the Irish Mirror: “We haven't agreed to a date yet so the plan is to bring the proposal to Cabinet on Tuesday, that will enable us to open indoor hospitality in line with NPHET guidance.
“We haven't agreed to date yet so the plan is to bring the proposal to Cabinet on Tuesday, that will enable us to open indoor hospitality in line with that for guidance.
“That obviously has to get through the Dáil, has to get through the Seanad and we have to ask the President to sign it, and we have to do some regulations too.
“Probably some day in between the 19th [July] and 26th so 19th at the earliest, 26th the latest.”
