Opposition is growing in the Dáil to the Government's plans to extend emergency COVID powers until November 9th.

The regulations give effect to many restrictions including mask-wearing, bans on mass gatherings and requiring people to stay in their homes.

Yesterday the Seanad approved the five-month extension to the Government's emergency powers.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly told senators the powers are still needed for a time, but his hope is that the Government wouldn't have to exercise any of them.

That extension wouldn't mean all restrictions would last until November.

However, it would give the Government the power to bring them back if there's another COVID surge.

The opposition believes the timeframe being proposed is too long.

Sinn Féin is pushing for a July expiry date, as are the Social Democrats.

The Social Democrats also opposing the five month extension. Calling for a 6 week extension of emergency powers and a further review in July pic.twitter.com/CvThzF0dPN

— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) May 25, 2021

Social Democrats co-leader Roisin Shortall said: "We are proposing we would have a short extension - a six-week extension - to enable a review to take place."

Labour has suggested a September expiry, while People Before Profit's Gino Kenny thinks they should expire immediately.

Deputy Kenny said: "What we're proposing... is that the emergency powers would be rescinded.

"The police had powers already, before the pandemic, to stop assembly."

One of the big issues is the lack of a clear sunset clause for the ending of the emergency powers, as well an ability in this bill for the Government to keep extending it in three-month intervals after November.

Deputy Shortall said her party believes the potential for further extensions isn't warranted and wouldn't be in the interests of democracy.