The decision to allow pubs reopen on September 21st will "undoubtedly" lead to more coronavirus infections, Dr Gabriel Scally has said.
The leading public health expert has described the Government's decision to push ahead with the reopening of wet pubs as "brave" - and suggested a "pretty rock autumn and winter" lies ahead.
Following a Cabinet meeting earlier today, the Government signed off on the September 21st reopening date.
Pubs which don't serve food have been closed since March, meaning a full six months of closure.
Today's decision comes amid the increasing number of COVID-19 cases - with the Government stressing that pub reopenings will be subject to any local restrictions or lockdowns that might be in place in counties such as Dublin or Limerick.
Dr Scally, Visiting Professor of Public Health at the University of Bristol, told The Hard Shoulder that the Government's move is "really, really interesting".
He said: "The virus loves alcohol. Alcohol removes inhibition, and people become far friendlier than they would be without it. Some pubs are very enclosed spaces.
"It's a brave decision - it's going to be interesting to see which rules are placed around it, because there will have to be rules.
"I think undoubtedly it will result in more infections. It's going to be a hard job to keep that down."
Dr Scally stressed that the economy - including the hospitality sector - is "extraordinarily important".
However, he argued that Ireland was "so close" to eliminating COVID-19 across the island.
He said: "I can't understand why the opportunity wasn't taken to get that down to zero, and kept at zero.
"Then we could relax all of our social distancing, and pubs could open... people could go to matches etc etc.
"Here... obviously there's been a risk assessment made... and I think it's setting a picture for a pretty rocky autumn and winter... With schools, universities and colleges coming back, it's going to be a difficult, difficult time, I think."
