The Tourism Minister has said she's looking at making it easier for people to report pubs and restaurants not checking digital COVID certs.
In the Dáil today, Minister Catherine Martin was asked by Sinn Féin's Imelda Munster about the prospect of a dedicated hotline for patrons and workers who "do not feel safe in an environment where they see that COVID passes are not being checked".
The minister said people can currently do so through the HSE Live helpline.
However, she wants to make it more streamlined to help ensure compliance with the regulations.
Minister Martin explained that people currently dialling the HSE helpline have to select the "other issues category" to report issues.
She said: "It might be useful to tailor the helpline to allow members of the public to report specific instances in a more targeted manner.
"This is something we will communicate to the Department of Health, as the HSE is under the remit of that Department. It will be a subject of discussion between officials in the Department of Health, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and my own Department."
Minister Martin said restaurants that do not follow the current rules could be fined.
However, she said they also face the "threat of closure".
She said: "We are appealing to businesses that are not checking for certificates, because it is not fair to the other businesses and it is not fair for public health.
"For both reasons, to protect public health and to help the businesses that have been through such a tough time to keep their businesses open, everybody should abide by the rules."
Deputy Martin said over 170 businesses were inspected by HSE officers in late October, with "overall compliance generally found to be good".
She said there was "particular attention" paid to inspecting nightclubs in Dublin, Cork and Galway during the initial reopening weekend.
With COVID-19 cases remaining high, Government and health officials have continued to urge businesses to check vaccine passes for all customers.
Ministers and members of NPHET have also encouraged people to leave any premises that don't check the certs.
