The Health Minister and the Tánaiste have contradicted each other on what people should do if they have to quarantine in shared accommodation.

There are question-marks over whether people will need to self-isolate in their rooms or can socialise with housemates.

A system of mandatory quarantine in the home for people coming from countries deemed low risk is on the way and this morning, the Health Minister Stephen Donnelly had this advice for people in shared accommodation.

“If you live with other people and you are travelling on your own, in that case you do need to go and self-isolate because you are a risk to the people you live with,” he said.

The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly speaking to media as he arrives at Government Buildings for an emergency Cabinet meeting, 30-12-2020. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

But Tánaiste Leo Varadkar gave a different answer when asked if people in those situations could socialise with housemates.

“You are talking about people who haven’t tested positive for COVID-19 – they have tested negative,” he said.

“If, at the moment, you are somebody who has actually tested positive for COVID, at the moment, you are required to self-isolate.

“But if you are a close contact, you are requited to restrict your movements.

“So, this is the equivalent of somebody who is a close contact; yes, they have come in from overseas but they have tested negative.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin didn't shed much light on which was correct at Leaders' Questions, but pointed out the difficulty of policing inside people's homes.

Social Democrats co-leader Roisin Shortall among the many opposition spokespeople left confused.

“Taoiseach, I have to say, quite honestly, I don’t think anybody knows what you are saying.”

It comes as the government said it would be several weeks before a full system of mandatory quarantine in hotels will be in place.

Reporting from Seán Defoe at Leinster House