Tánaiste says he hopes people will be able to meet up outdoors after March 5th

A decision on what restrictions might be lifted will be made by the cabinet in two weeks time. 

It comes as the government confirmed 160 million euro in further support grants for businesses with the scheme lasting until the middle of the year. 

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar says he hopes some of the Level 5 restrictions can be lifted next month: "I'd hope that after the fifth of March, it'll be possible for households, for friends, for family to meet outdoors...that was part of the first reopening if you remember back in May, from around the middle of May, you were able to meet another household outdoors or in a garden. But like I say, and like the Taoiseach said, we're going to be conservative and cautious about this."