Covid-19: Minutes of meeting reveal warning against introducing fines 

A Garda on Covid-19 regulations checkpoint in Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

Just hours after Level 5 restrictions came into force, an advisory group heard a warning that fines for breaching Covid-19 regulations could "backfire" on the government.

Members of the group, run by the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet), also heard fines could also "agitate" people who refuse to wear masks.