The Government plans to run a series of pilot events that will allow crowds back at music gigs and sports matches starting from next month.
They also hope to announce the return of indoor dining and pubs from the first week of July when the Taoiseach confirms the next phase of reopening society on Friday.
The final decision, however, will hinge on public health advice from Nphet which is due to meet on Thursday before Micheál Martin makes his announcement .
Independent.ie is reporting that Ministers are concerned the rise in the number of cases of the so-called Indian variant in Ireland may result in a more cautious approach on the resumption of international travel.