Great re-opening will be 'one step at a time', says Taoiseach

Taoiseach Michéal Martin visiting Princes Street in Cork City today where he took a look at the new multi-coloured canopy of parasols to support outdoor dining in all weathers. “It’s great that outdoor dining is back,” he said before tucking into lunch outside Nash19. Photo: Michael O'Sullivan

The Taoiseach sampled the food and atmosphere as he dined al-fresco on Cork’s Prince’s St today, the poster-child for our summer outdoors, but cautioned that the great re-opening will be done “one step at a time”.

Micheál Martin, who also officially opened a new docklands office block, said while it was great to see hospitality re-open and that the last few days have been heartening for many, such progress must be consolidated and the situation reassessed before decisions to ease restrictions further can be made, and office workers are cleared to return to the workplace.