People will be permitted to travel between counties for the first week in January under plans being considered by the Government.
RTÉ News understands that restaurants and bars serving food will be allowed to continue trading up until 30 December. The Cabinet is set to meet on Tuesday to discuss the latest proposals from the National Public Health Emergency Team, urging the closure of bars and restaurants from 28 December.
NPHET also advised a halt to inter-county travel and a limit on visitors to one other household - at present, up to three households can gather together until 6 January.
A number of ministers have privately indicated that they favour a less restrictive approach around the Christmas period. Senior Government sources have