Vaccine passports "should and could" be used to allow access to the likes of sporting events and cinemas, according to an immunology expert.
It comes as the HSE says Ireland is set to fully vaccinate its adult population by the end of the month.
HSE CEO Paul Reid has said hitting this milestone should allow for the further easing of restrictions.
Trinity College Dublin professor Kingston Mills believes vaccination certs could allow this to happen.
He said: “Vaccination certs are currently used for travel and pubs and restaurants, but they could be used much more broadly.
“Sporting events, cultural events, entry to museums, cinemas… anywhere where a large selection of people is going to congregate because that’s where the transmission of the virus occurs.
“The vaccine passport should and could be a mechanism for allowing a lot of return to normality.”
Indoor dining is currently restricted to those who’ve been fully vaccinated or who have recovered from COVID in the past six months, although children are also allowed in restaurants once accompanied by a vaccinated adult.
The EU Digital COVID Cert is also being used to facilitate international travel within the EU, although it is not mandatory for travel within the bloc.
Currently, the likes of museums, theatres, cinemas and sporting events in Ireland do not require proof of vaccination.
Countries such as France, however, have restricted many indoor activities and large gatherings to vaccinated people only.
