Leo Varadkar has suggested a full lockdown of the country will not be the most effective way to tackle the Coronavirus.
The government is to hold discussions with park operators today after large numbers of people gathered in public spaces over the weekend.
Here in Clare, Gardaí blocked access to the car park in Lahinch due to excessive numbers attending, while Kilkee beach and the Twelve O’Clock Hills in East Clare were also very busy.
Concerns have emerged that some people aren’t adhering to the two metre distance to combat the spread of the virus, following a busy weekend at many public spaces and parks.
906 people have now tested positive for Covid 19 in Ireland, including 7 in Clare, and a male in the east of the country has become the fourth person to die from the coronavirus.
A fine weekend of weather resulted in social-distancing guidelines broken in many parts of the country, with Gardaí in Clare restricting access to the beach in Lahinch, after hundreds descended on the the area.
Health Minister Simon Harris says the evidence shows social distancing works, when people follow it.
A Lahinch hotelier is calling on Clare County Council to re-purpose traffic wardens during the COVID-19 outbreak, to allow them police carparks at the county’s hotspots.
Michael Vaughan of Vaughan’s Lodge Hotel in Lahinch, who is a Fianna Fáil candidate in the upcoming Seanad election, says it’s time for harsher measures to be introduced.
Other parts of Clare also saw increased numbers including the Twelve O’Clock Hills in East Clare, and Kilkee beach in West Clare.
In protest, Kilkee residents erected signage urging people to return home and remember national health guidelines, while Civil Defence volunteers were deployed to remind beach-goers of the importance of social distancing.
Kilkee Fianna Fáil Councillor, Cillian Murphy believes a stronger response is now needed from Government.
The Taoiseach says no plans are in place at the moment to close public spaces and parks, but the National Public Health Emergency Team will meet tomorrow to consider if tighter restrictions are necessary.
Leo Varadkar says it will issue further recommendations.
