Gardaí are to conduct checks of pubs and other licenced premises to ensure they are adhering to public health guidelines.
This follows concerns from Government’s Cabinet Committee on COVID-19, Garda management and the public that some premises and their customers have not been adhering to them.
Beginning this weekend, An Garda Síochána will conduct checks of licenced premises nationwide in relation to adherence to the public health guidelines.
The Government will review a report on compliance from the relevant authorities, including An Garda Síochána, at its meeting on Monday.
It also says: "Strong enforcement measures will be taken against premises that are not operating in accordance with public health guidelines."
The operation, known as 'Operation Navigation', is in place from 7.00pm on Friday.
Deputy Commissioner John Twomey said: "When licenced premises were initially shut under the public health guidelines An Garda Síochána checked thousands of licensed premises to ensure they remained closed, which the vast, vast majority did.
"Our intention in this latest phase was to conduct a large number of spot-checks of licensed premises.
"However, it now appears that just a few days after their introduction some licensed premises and their customers are ignoring the public health guidelines.
"By doing so, they are putting themselves and everyone they then come into contact with at risk of getting COVID-19. This is not acceptable and we are now expanding our planned checks."
An Garda Síochána has given an operational order to all local Garda managers that licensed premises in their area operating at the moment are to be checked.
Where potential breaches are identified and not rectified, a file is to be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a direction as to how to proceed.
While under liquor licensing laws, a licensed premises requires a declaration of suitability from a member of An Garda Síochána for its liquor license to be renewed.
