The Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party meeting tonight heard some criticism of the garda checkpoints on roads around the country today.
It is understood that Minister of State Robert Troy told the private meeting that it was counterproductive to delay frontline workers for up to 45 minutes on their way home from work this evening.
He told colleagues the Government had to bring people with them and the best time to place checkpoints on the roads was at night when people were making social calls.
Sources at the meeting said the Junior Business Minister also spoke about the need to close off-licences for a number of weeks.
There were also suggestions at the meeting to give schoolchildren earlier Christmas holidays.
And there were calls to categorise toy shops as essential retail outlets in any further tightening of restrictions.
The Taoiseach also reiterated his concerns about rising Covid-19 levels in Northern Ireland.
