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LAST UPDATE | 23 Feb 2021
“THERE CAN BE no going back” and there can be “no fourth lock down”, according to Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath.
His comments come as the Cabinet meets to sign off on the government’s new Living with Covid-19 Plan which will map out the country’s reopening.
The Cabinet meeting is currently underway, with the Taoiseach expected to make a public televised announcement at 6pm.
Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, McGrath said “there can be no fourth wave coming to Ireland”, adding that “what we are doing now, we need to make sure that we are doing for the last time”.
The minister said the government knows people are growing “weary”, but said the reopening of the country, in tangent with the vaccination programme, must be cautious.
McGrath was also asked if he has confidence in Stephen Donnelly as health minister. “Yes, I certainly do,” he said.
Opposition politicians have strongly criticised the minister this morning after Donnelly sought to clarify remarks he made over the re-opening of schools in a television interview last night, and said that negotiations have concluded with teaching unions in this regard.
Stephen Donnelly had earlier said that these talks were still ongoing.
Yesterday, the Cabinet Covid-19 sub-committee agreed a number of measures as part of its new plan for Living with Covid.
Included within this is an extension of Level 5 restrictions until at least 5 April, but with the phased re-opening of schools from next week.
Talks on schools reopening are still ongoing - Stephen Donnelly @DonnellyStephen tells Claire that the reopening of schools for junior infants, senior infants, first class, second class and Leaving Cert students is not a done deal yet. #CBLive pic.twitter.com/a1682klrdZ
— Claire Byrne Live (@ClaireByrneLive) February 22, 2021
However, speaking to RTÉ One’s Claire Byrne Live last night, Donnelly said Education Minister Norma Foley was “still in negotiations with the unions” on the matter of reopening education.
He added that Cabinet “hopes to be in a position” to make an announcement on the re-opening of education today.
In a tweet just after midnight, the health minister clarified that meetings with teaching unions “concluded early this afternoon”.
Clarification re return of schools - Meetings with the teaching unions concluded early this afternoon. Government intends making an announcement after Cabinet in line with plans as already outlined.
— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) February 23, 2021
“Government intends making an announcement after Cabinet in line with plans as already outlined,” he said.
Following today’s Cabinet meeting, the updated Living with Covid Plan, mapping out how the country might ease restrictions in the coming months, will be published.
Only dates for students returning will be published, with no other indicative dates for the easing of restrictions to form part of the plan.
The government will also extend the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) other and supports for businesses into the summer.
Speaking to reporters last night, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said that “people are weary, we’re still in a very precarious position”.
Ryan said the focus is “particularly on getting schools back, make sure we do that safely”.
He added that the plan “gives some hope as well”.
“First thing’s first is to take care of the next few weeks, we’re still in a very difficult situation and you have to be careful”.
Beyond the reopening of schools, no major easing of restrictions is expected to be announced today, with a review of restrictions taking place after Easter.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin last week said that some restrictions would remain in place until at least the end of April.
Construction and retail are likely to be the first industries allowed to reopen once the spread of Covid-19 slows, while hospitality will face a longer wait.
The 5km exercise limit will remain in place, but it will be reviewed after Easter.
Separately, there were 676 people in hospital with Covid-19 last night including 154 in intensive care.
A further 686 new cases were confirmed in Ireland yesterday.
With reporting from Christina Finn
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I just can’t wait to eat out again. This nearly brought a tear to my eye. Well done to all. I absolutely believe Irish food is the best in the world.
@Pat O’Brien: latest addition is Turkish … Dede…
What about Supermacs Salthill
@Alan Cowdell-Browne: That’s on the 3 star list Alan
@Seán Óg: ah, that’s ok then. Thought it had been completely overlooked.
@Alan Cowdell-Browne: After about 25-30 pints in O Conners I’d give it a star.
@Alan Cowdell-Browne:
only after midnight and full of pints
Congratulations to all. I’m salivating at the thought of a night out at one of these fine establishments!
An absolute joke that Lignum in Loughrea did not get the nod.
@John Killeen: Lignum is a relative newcomer given that it opened in 2019 and was closed for the majority of 2020. It’s a serious contender for next year.
@Aoife Mac Cana: Aimsir opened in 2019 too and is a 2*
@John Killeen: was really expecting to see Enzos in ennis to make the list too
@Peter Cavey: Jordan Bailey came from a 3* to open Aimsir, and had more than a full year in business for repeat visits by judges, Lignum not so.
@Aoife Mac Cana: fair enough, I didn’t know that.
@Aoife Mac Cana: next year maybe
@John Killeen: Lignum isnt even close to the standard required. I have been to most of the others too.
Lignum was by far the most overhyped experience I had in 2020
Now it is possible that we had a bad night. But it was pretty poor.
Service in particular was shocking and the sommelier very rude
The sad thing in this is most of these restaurants were only open for 2 and a half months like so many others… well done all!
Good that we have the names here, good to have a list of places to avoid when we do eventually get to eat out.
@Gavin Linden: If there was a Michelin star for begrudgery, you’d win hands down.
@Gavin Linden: What’s your logic?
@Seán Óg: Not a bit Sean. I have indicated that they are a list of places for me to avoid, not suggesting any one else should. Personally I prefer simple honest food that is presented in substantially sufficient portions to both enjoy and to actually feel fed after. The amount of pretentious nonsense attributed to ‘award winning’ restaurants and the constant bs discussed on practically every radio and tv by gobsheens about cooking a bloody meal is unreal. I’ll add to that any place that includes the ‘gourmet’ in their literature gets a wide berth from me too. Normally just an excuse to throw an extra fiver on a crap burger with a slice of aldi processed cheese on top and a tea cup with six chips. Oh and least I forget it’ll most likely be served with a Ballymaloo relish,the only thing I have yet to see that muck been offered on is atop a pint of Guinness. But hey, here’s hoping.
Me? begrudging? No way…
@Gavin Linden: That’s a mighty big chip on your shoulder Gavin. Would you like some Ballymaloe relish to go with it?
@Seán Óg: Ha Ha, good man Sean. I’d say it’s actually a balanced opinion. I’ve a chip on both shoulders. Dam, that leaves only four ‘special hand cut chips’ in me cup.. probably a waste ordering the relish. Anyway, thats my rant for today..
@Gavin Linden: you’d prefer a gravy to a jus?
@Eugene Norman: On da ball Norman good man, you have me sussed. By the way thats another one word on my list of offending vocabulary on a restaurant publication.
@Gavin Linden: do you know that one of the criteria for obtaining a Michelin Star is that you serve decent sized portions?
Variety Jones is extraordinary- the brothers Higgs have surely found their boson.
Pity they won’t get the chance to prove it.
@Paul Gorry: But they did prove it. That’s why they received the award.
@Seán Óg: beg to differ i like to taste the food myself.
@Paul Gorry: I’m sure they won’t put their plaques up until you’ve given them the thumbs up! ;0)
@Seán Óg: The only thing going up is their prices Sean. They can stick their plagues were the sun don’t shine.
@Paul Gorry: Yawn. Why are some people so begrudging towards others who work extremely hard to get to the top? I’m sure KFC is more your scene Paul, I hear the bargain bucket is finger lickin good.
@Seán Óg: yawn why do some people belittle KFC sean? Most are franchised employing people and work extremely hard. Stop speculating on my scene by the way.
Kilkenny doing well.
@Eugene Norman: yes Mr Kelly is ahead of the posse in that part of the World !
Congratulations to all! Looking forward to eating out again
I remember going to a ‘top’ restaurant once and having to go to the chipper afterwards cause I was still bleedin hungry.
And none North of the imaginary squiggly line?
Can’t wait for Variety Jones to be back
Will their finish at home version be as good for those who live within 5km?
have your say