Pubs and restaurants, as well as some politicians, are unhappy with the new plan.
There have been 351 new cases of Covid-19 reported in Ireland.
The figures released from the Department of Health on Tuesday did not contain information regarding deaths related to Covid-19.
The Department of Health’s statement said that the number of daily cases may also change due to future data validation.
46 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 16 are in ICU.
As of midnight, Monday 28th June, we are reporting 351* confirmed cases of #COVID19.
16 in ICU. 46 in hospital.
*Daily case numbers may change due to future data review, validation and update.
— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) June 29, 2021
Earlier today, Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed that indoor dining will be delayed, due to fears regarding the Delta variant of Covid-19.
It was confirmed that indoor activities – such as organised events, the return of service in bars and restaurants, training, group exercise, dance – will not proceed as planned, pending the implementation of a system to verify vaccination or immunity.
Government has said they will devise an implementation plan by 19 July.
The decision has been heavily criticised by the The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) who said the way the Government has dealt with pubs over the past 15 months is shocking.
“The idea that only allowing the fully vaccinated into hospitality venues is highly problematic and probably unworkable for a number of reasons, not least how do publicans and their staff police such a policy,” Padraig Cribben, VFI Chief Executive, said.
“Government has consistently stated it would not introduce this type of measure so for it now to change course has left the pub trade reeling.
“There is confusion and overwhelming anger among our members as to how pubs in the North can open safely for indoor trading since 24 May while the UK Government is removing all restrictions in the next three weeks stating that ‘we must learn to live with Covid’.
“Why are we taking such a markedly different, more conservative, approach?”
He added: “So many reopenings postponed or delayed and now this unworkable plan that will create a two-tier society that can only lead to animosity towards publicans and their staff, who are effectively being asked to become agents of the state.”
The Restaurants Association of Ireland (RSI) also said in a statement it was “astounded” at the government’s decision.
It said: “The proposal to develop a system that would permit only those who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to eat and drink inside bars and restaurants we believe to be discriminatory and unworkable.”
Meanwhile, Labour leader Alan Kelly said in the Dáil to Minister Eamon Ryan: “What you’ve announced earlier as a decision from Cabinet in relation to reopening is absolutely bananas. It’s discriminatory. It’s unenforceable. It’s actually shocking stuff – amateur hour.
“When did government discrimination become the norm in Ireland?
“What you’re saying to young people today is ‘we’re all in this together, except when it gets to a stage where those of us who are being vaccinated want to get out and enjoy ourselves this summer… Oh and by the way, we also want you to continue working to serve us in the bars and restaurants and pubs and everywhere else because we need you to do so, even though you’re not vaccinated.'”
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said it was a day for “hope” and “honesty”, stating it was hopeful because “everything that is open will stay open and there’ll be no new restrictions applying to those activities and places that are currently open”.
However, he also stated there was a need to be honest with the public about “the situation we’re in now”.
He explained: “We simply do not know how bad, or for how long, the Delta wave will last. We know it will happen but we don’t know how long it will last, we don’t know how bad it will be.”
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