Representatives of Ireland's cinema industry have written to the Taoiseach to ask him for a firm date for the reopening of big screens.
Mark Anderson, of the Omniplex group, said that if cinemas had any chance of surviving they, and their 2,000 strong workforce, need a reopening date without delay.
Mr Anderson said cinemas in Northern Ireland will be opening again this Monday, 24 May. He said it was possible that thousands of film fans will cross the border to attend cinemas in the North, an "unnecessary movement of people and a devastating blow to cinemas in border towns".
He told Taoiseach Micheál Martin: "Our industry is at breaking point and if we are to have any chance of surviving and recovering, we need a re-opening date for the