Discussions are taking place within Government amid indications that a clampdown on pubs selling takeaway drinks will be introduced.
The Taoiseach is set to speak to Minister for Justice Helen McEntee on the matter later. It is understood that a decision to end the sale of takeaway pints and other alcoholic drinks from pubs could be taken swiftly.
Senior Government sources are saying that what happened on Saturday night in a few cities cannot be allowed to continue. It follows footage on social media of large numbers of people in Dublin city centre drinking on the streets.
Pubs have been allowed to sell takeaway drinks under all levels of the Government's Living with Covid-19 plan. However, some vintners' groups have said they have never