The Tánaiste has said he'll be pushing for a faster easing of COVID-19 restrictions than we had in the past.
NPHET will meet on Thursday to consider the current spread of COVID-19 and project what's likely to happen over the coming weeks.
Leo Varadkar says Government will consider NPHET's advice over the weekend and make a decision on a way forward.
However, the Tánaiste says he doesn't believe the Government needs to be as cautious as it was in the past, despite continued high case numbers.
He said: "That hasn't turned into huge numbers of hospital admissions or ICU admissions.
"The impact of Omicron on our hospitals in January has been significant, but probably not hugely more significant than a bad flu season would have been.
"I think that puts things into a particular perspective and can give us hope we can reopen across the spring and summer.
"I'd be very much pushing for a more ambitious and rapid reopening than we had in the past."
His comments come as officials such as HSE CEO Paul Reid have said they're 'cautiously hopeful' that the peak of the current wave has now passed.
Opposition views
Restrictions currently in place include the continuing 8pm closing time for hospitality, entertainment and arts venues.
Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast earlier, Independent TD Marc MacSharry said many of his constituents are frustrated with the current situation.
He said hospitality is a controlled sector and official HPSC data shows the "vast majority" of outbreaks have happened elsewhere.
He now wants to see a quicker reopening than before, noting: “We went the scenic route to masks and antigen testing… I don’t want to see us go the scenic route to reopening.”
Michael Healy Rae, independent Kerry TD, told The Pat Kenny Show January and February are usually quieter months for business.
However, he said many restaurants, hotels and other businesses now want to see the 8pm curfew eased.
He observed: "They think the time is right to responsibly allow for an extension on from 8pm.
"If you're running a restaurant doing evening meals... the 8pm is really hampering them. The 8pm isn't long enough to do a proper evening service, and at the same time they want to be open and keep their staff working."
Deputy Healy-Rae stressed it's important there's advance notice given of when restrictions will be eased to allow managers to do up rosters and order in stock.
