The Cabinet has agreed that indoor service in bars and restaurants can resume on Monday 26 July for those who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19.
President Michael D Higgins earlier signed the legislation underpinning the guidelines into law.
The guidelines will mean no time limits for customers, and closing time will be set at 11.30pm.
An app will be developed by the Government to allow business owners to check customers' Covid certificates at the door of a pub or restaurant.
Up to six people will be allowed sit at tables that must be kept one-metre apart.
Speaking on his way into Cabinet, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the vaccine programme is rolling out very effectively.
He said people need to be vigilant in the coming weeks, adding, "we have all got to adhere to the guidelines no matter how tired we are of this pandemic".
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Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath said the rules will not come as any great surprise to the sector.
But, he said, it will be a significant change for them and it is not the type of reopening that they might have envisaged a few weeks ago.
Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she had spoken to the Taoiseach about how people from Northern Ireland could have their Covid-19 vaccines recognised when the new regulations take effect.
"I received positive assurances that a solution will be found in advance of 26 July," she said on Twitter.
I have spoken with An Taoiseach in an effort to find a way to ensure proof of COVID vaccination is recognised across the island and that there will be no barriers for citizens of the north.
— Michelle O'Neill (@moneillsf) July 21, 2021
I received positive assurances that a solution will be found in advance of 26th July
Alan Grehan, manager of the Sprezzatura restaurant in Dublin, said he believes the country is in a very different place and there is a greater understanding of Covid-19, which allows for better mitigation factors to prevent infection be put in place for indoor hospitality.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Grehan said he believes checking for certification will become second nature for staff and pointed out that hospitality has been very good at following procedures and guidelines.
This is just something new we have to add on, he said.
Orla Hegarty, an expert on ventilation, has said media reports that social distancing should apply to indoor tables with children, isn't a protection scientifically.
Speaking on RTÉ's Drivetime, she said: "If children are indoors, they're breathing the same air as everybody else. If they are two metres away from somebody who is asymptomatic or infected at another table, that's not going to be a protection."
Professor Philip Nolan of the National Public Health Emergency Team has also warned that people might forget the basics when the emphasis is placed on ventilation.
He said: "It is bad and potentially dangerous advice to suggest that physical distance, minimising direct contact and hand hygiene are not effective infection prevention and control measures, and that ventilation is somehow more effective or more important."
The chair of the expert modelling advisory group said they were seeing "a significant number of transmissions outdoors, when people get too close, most likely transmissions via droplets, spray or soiled hands.
"A little more distance, not touching or shouting, or better hygiene might have prevented these infections."
