The Taoiseach has told his party that he is worried about the Delta Covid-19 variant, saying it was a slow burner with predictions that it could go out of control in August or September.
This followed severe criticism of the delayed opening of indoor hospitality by several TDs and Senators.
The party's youngest TD, James O'Connor, was particularly critical saying the party risked becoming irrelevant to younger people.
Micheál Martin said the decision was a blow to everyone and he does not want to keep the sector closed.
He said the reopening was paused to develop a plan with the hospitality sector for 19 July.
The Taoiseach said the Government was open minded as to as to how reopen hospitality looking at testing, protocols and vaccination.
He said the country should never go back to where it was in January.
Meanwhile, the Tánaiste told his party that a decision to pause the reopening of indoor hospitality will be reassessed before 19 July.
Leo Varadkar said the Government would focus on the vaccine programme, watching the Delta variant in the UK and developing a "corona pass" for indoor hospitality.
