Eamon Ryan has denied the Government's sending 'mixed messages' when it comes to rules around gatherings and restaurants.
Cafés, restaurants and pubs which serve food are reopening from today, with a limit of six people per table.
However, those six people can be from six separate households, despite Government advice that fewer households can meet in other circumstances.
People are currently being advised against having any household visitors apart from those in support bubbles, and only having visitors from two other households over the Christmas period.
Meanwhile, for outdoor settings officials are advising that only "up to six people from a maximum of two households" should meet, while maintaining strict physical distancing.
Speaking on The Pat Kenny Show, the Green Party leader said there has always been room within 'level three' restrictions for changes.
In terms of the advice around restaurants, Eamon Ryan said: "I don't think it's mixed messaging - it's using the levels we have set up, and within level three there was always room for adjustments.
"[In restaurants] it's not set by households - it's set by number of people. It's six people at a table, properly spread out - that could be either one household or six."
Minister Ryan said the change was made to "make it easier for restaurant people" - noting that it would be very difficult to police limits on the number of households.
He said there is still a time limit in place if tables are less than two metres away from each other.
He said: "We are relying on all of us working together to ensure we do keep distances and keep each other safe.
"What we're trying to do is learning from experience - what worked and how it was managed.
"If we are seeing an increased incidence because of that environment, then obviously you would review it again."
He said people need to continue to be careful, but that past evidence showed restaurateurs were following the guidance in place.
