Public health officials last night recommended that the government take a very cautious approach to reopening over the coming months. The suggestions are that this will mean that a partial reopening of schools from the start of March will be the only easing to be permitted in the short-term, with a more substantial easing delayed until the end of April or possibly into May. 

While it was anticipated that construction would be allowed to open from early March, this timeline is now under threat based upon the ultra-cautious approach that the government is taking.
 
Goodbody Stockbrokers says Ireland has taken a more cautious approach to restrictions than most other countries since the start of the pandemic, while the latest batch of decisions is likely to be influenced by both the higher transmissibility of the new strains and the spike in cases that followed the reopening around Christmas.
 
According to Goodbody Stockbrokers, "The rebound looks like it will now be delayed by a few weeks at least but will be compensated somewhat by an extension of government supports. The light at the end of the tunnel is the prospect of a ramping up of vaccinations from April onwards."

Source: www.businessworld.ie