''We'll be recommending to cabinet that we take a very cautious approach for the next couple of weeks''.
The National Public Health Emergency Team appears to have recommended pubs remain shut.
The Taoiseach says he's received "very firm advice" from the public health experts, which is being currently discussed at a Cabinet meeting.
Under Phase 4, pubs which don't serve food were due to reopen on Monday.
However Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has cast doubt on this, saying they can't make any decisions which would affect the reopening of schools.
''We want to make sure we do nothing that jeopardizes the opening of schools and colleges in the couple of weeks'', he said.
Strongest signal yet that pubs won’t reopen. Tanaiste @LeoVaradkar says NPHET is advising Gov take a “cautious approach” Says: “I know what will come as a further blow to some of the sectors that can’t be reopened. But we just cant risk moving backward or risk schools reopening.” pic.twitter.com/5CFzyoWFNu
— Mary Regan (@MaryERegan) August 4, 2020
''And that's why on the advice of NPHET we'll be recommending to cabinet that we take a very cautious approach for the next couple of weeks.
''I know that's going to come as a further blow to some of the sectors that are not being reopened, but we just can't risk moving backwards with the schools reopening''.
