'Knowing what we know now': Taoiseach says December restrictions were wrong in hindsight

When it was put to Micheál Martin that the government had gone against Nphet advice, he said he did not think it was "a helpful discussion to go back in hindsight and try and apportion blame". Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

The Taoiseach has admitted that the easing of restrictions before Christmas was a mistake.

The government has come under sustained criticism for ignoring Nphet advice, which recommended against opening non-essential retail, hospitality and household visits together at the start of December. The weeks after this reopening has seen a devastating spike in Covid-19 cases, with Ireland being counted among the quickest rising case numbers in the world.