Government accepts Covid-19 cases will rise in December

Mr Coveney said non-essential retail is not as risky as initially had been thought, but wet pubs pose a danger which is why they will remain closed over Christmas.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has warned that cases of Covid-19 will increase in the coming weeks and has urged the public to do their bit to avoid a dramatic spike.

Mr Coveney said non-essential retail is not as risky as initially had been thought, but wet pubs pose a danger which is why they will remain closed over Christmas.