Caveating the statement with a reminder that the run-up to Christmas will be very different than to previous years, An Taoiseach Michéal Martin later commented that there is still cause for hope.
With level five restrictions due to be lifted on December 1st, many people are looking ahead to next month in anticipation of what's to come. Trying to put plans in place to allow for as normal a Christmas as possible given the circumstances, it's hoped that restrictions will be eased somewhat in time for December 25th.
Speaking on RTÉ News, An Taoiseach hinted at the possibility of more relaxed public health measures, saying:
"We are conscious that people want a Christmas. It won't be the same as last year, it can't be because of a global pandemic and the impact of that."
Commenting that "we're all learning as we move along", Martin later said added:
"I do believe we can create a window of opportunity for December to enable people to have a good Christmas, albeit a different Christmas to what they might normally experience."
Shooting down the possibility of exiting level five restrictions prior to the start of next month, the Taoiseach said that seeing out the six-week course would allow for "maximum flexibility for December and beyond".
