During an appearance on The Tonight Show, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that he was optimistic that some level of normality will return to daily life in Ireland following the COVID-plagued year the country has endured.
During the conversation on Virgin Media, host Ciara Kelly said to the Taoiseach "people will want to know when life is going to get back to normal? I know that's the $64m question, but they're thinking 'will I be able to go on a summer holiday next year?"
The Fianna Fail leader was optimistic with his answer that normality will return next year.
"I think this is going to happen gradually. I think towards the latter half of 2021, things will be coming back closer to normality. I think over time and I do certainly see that," said Martin.
He adds: "I'm being cautious in what I'm saying, vaccine production could ramp up and we might get the vaccines earlier in large volumes. Other vaccines will come on stream, so I think we'll be in a much, much better place than we've been in all of this year. Of that I'm certain. Even if you start thinking when we get all the nursing homes and frontline workers vaccinated, even that alone in January and February will make life much easier for us."
During the conversation, the Taoiseach also addressed the issue of a United Ireland, why a no-deal Brexit would be a massive problem for Ireland, and his belief that the Minister For Education, Norma Foley, has done a terrific job.
Elsewhere, the topic of the vaccine rollout was also discussed and despite the recent positive developments on that issue, the Taoiseach is still urging caution.
"We could see some vaccine [issued in Ireland] towards the end of the year It'll be low level, low volume, but we could.
"Generally speaking, people have adhered to the guidelines - difficult and all as they have been. People's lives have been upended and it has been very, very challenging for people and families - especially families who lost loved ones, they couldn't have the proper ritual that central to how we deal with bereavement in Ireland. That's an illustration of how difficult this has been.," he said.
The Taoiseach added: "People have lost jobs, companies are worried about the future of their business. The vaccine gives us hope but what's critical is that we maintain our vigilance in terms of our individual behaviour. Behave as if you have the virus and that you don't want to give it to the next person. Every contact matters, wear a mask and stick to social distancing," he said.
Mr Martin also added that the Cabinet will meet on December 29 with a view to "keeping an eye on" the possibility of bringing forward the January 6 date for renewed restrictions.
