3,500 pubs that don't serve food are calling for immediate reopening.
They say it should happen the minute new Garda powers come into force.
Leo Varadkar said he wants to see them reopen.
He says we're lagging behind the rest of Europe.
"The fact that wet pubs are open in every country in Europe now, all be it with restrictions."
"We've also seen that restaurateurs and gastro-pubs have done a really good job."
"They've shown that they can actually follow the rules and regulations, with a few notable exceptions."
"I'd like publicans to be given the chance to show that they can do it as well."
"Difficult Hard Truth" - It's Too Soon For Pubs
But the HSE's chief Clincial officer Colm Henry says it's still too soon, as schools have just returned.
"We know the difficult hard truth from international experience, and you will have read about Aberdeen and other notable outbreaks."
"That combination of alcohol, congregated settings and being indoors with multiple contacts."
"It really fosters the best possible opportunity for the virus to transmit."
"That can lead to multiple cases which will propagate the virus beyond."
39 Covid Patients In Hospital, 6 In ICU
The HSE has also pointed to the number of people being treated for the virus in hospital,
They're treating 39 people for Covid-19 in hospital.
While 6 people are in intensive care.
Officials say they're monitoring it closely.
