Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said there is no guarantee pubs will reopen this year as industry groups criticised the Government’s new €16 million support package.
The Cabinet decided on Friday that pubs which do not serve meals will not be permitted to open next week, before unveiling a package of increased cash grants.
The Government has also agreed to introduce regulations which would make it a civil rather than criminal offence to hold a gathering of more than six people in a private home either indoors or outdoors.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said the Cabinet felt a penal provision or criminal sanction could be viewed as extreme.