Hairdressers and other services to begin reopening in May - Varadkar

Mr Varadkar has also confirmed that services, including hairdressers, will reopen next month and there will be a further lifting of restrictions on outdoor gatherings and activities from May 4.

Anyone who refuses an AstraZeneca vaccine will have to wait until the entire population is vaccinated to be offered an alternative, the Tánaiste has warned.

Leo Varadkar has said vaccinated people could be able to travel freely within the EU within months, but he has cautioned that travel in the future will be different.