The Taoiseach has said the alternative to new restrictions on the late night entertainment industry was to pause the re-opening.
Speaking this morning Micheál Martin said the only way to allow the nightclub sector re-open safely was to introduce mandatory ticketing.
The proposal has been slammed widely by the sector as totally unworkable.
The new guidelines will not be impact the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival as they do not come into force until next weekend.
The Taoiseach says the industry needs to work with the Government:
"This government has been very supportive of the hospitality sector, the beginning of the pandemic right throughout. And it's time for the interests to work with government. In the modern era, administrating ticket only is something that can be done quite easily. Up to two weeks ago, we were opening on schedule just as we opened in September, the 5th, the 20th. We did what we said we would do. It's the virus that's dictating this not the government. The government doesn't want to be putting restrictions on people."
