The Taoiseach has told his party that the likely date for the phased reopening of schools is March 1. Micheál Martin told the party's TDs and senators that Leaving Certificate and infant classes would likely be the first to return, with other classes returning in phases thereafter. Meanwhile, there was widespread criticism of the vaccine rollout at Fine Gael's parliamentary party last night. Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan, MEP Frances Fitzgerald, and John Paul Phelan all had a number of queries about how the vaccine rollout would work and how certain centres were selected. Mr Varadkar repeated that the easing of Covid-19 restrictions will be "very limited" and may only involve the phased return to schools and pre-school childcare.

Source: Irish Examiner February 17, 2021 21:33 UTC