A Fianna Fáil TD says garden centres should be allowed to open if supermarkets can continue to sell garden products.
Many garden centres and hardware stores remain closed amid the ongoing coronavirus restrictions and some confusion over whether such businesses were considered to be essential retail.
However, Fianna Fáil's TD Robert Troy said it's "deeply unfair" that such stores aren't allowed open.
He argued: "I think we have to start looking at how we can start reopening sectors where social distance already exists.
"If you look at the example of garden centres... they are prevented from opening, yet Lidl and Aldi continue to sell similar produce."
Deputy Troy also called on the planned roadmap for the easing of restrictions to be published, saying businesses will need certainty to begin preparing for reopening.
Meanwhile, Lidl says it couldn't have anticipated a surge in demand for its promotions this week, following reports of long queues outside a number of its stores.
People began queuing since early this morning at some Lidl and Aldi supermarkets to try and buy discounted garden furniture.
Lidl says it has measures in place to protect customers and staff from COVID-19, including hiring more security to monitor overcrowding.
