It's emerged some NPHET members did not agree with earlier closing times for hospitality and indoor events.
The move was introduced last month, in a bid to reduce socialisation amid concern over the spread of the Omicron variant.
While NPHET recommended a 5pm closing time, the Government ultimately decided on an 8pm curfew for indoor events instead.
Ahead of the recommendations to Government, more than two dozen members of NPHET met via videoconference on the morning of December 16th to discuss the situation.
Minutes from the meeting show some voiced concern about the proposed curfew, saying such strict measures were "disproportionate" by international comparison.
The minutes state: "Some Members voiced concern about the 5pm closing time for the hospitality sector. Various reasons were cited for this.
"Some felt that the imposition of strict measures of this type was disproportionate by international comparison, others favoured a later closing time and stressed that 5pm closure would preclude some families from engaging in evening time festive events (pantos etc.) to the detriment of social cohesion, while others were of the opinion that the focus should be on reducing capacity within venues rather than limiting trading hours."
It was also noted that hospitality settings offer people an opportunity to socialise - and that has an impact on wellbeing, in particular "for those at risk of isolation".
However, 'on balance' NPHET ultimately agreed to recommend the measure - saying it "would provide a clear cut-off point and a distinction between day- and night-time trade".
Restrictions
It comes as a growing number of hospitality and entertainment industry representatives have called for the restrictions to be lifted as soon as possible.
The curfew means many businesses have to shut at 8pm sharp.
Many gigs, shows and other indoor events have also been cancelled due to capacity limits, the early closing times and the impact of Omicron on staffing levels.
Nightclubs also remain entirely shut.
Ian Redmond, owner of Tramline nightclub in Dublin, told The Pat Kenny Show the reopening measures previously in place - including a ticketing system and COVID cert requirement - worked "really, really well".
They're now "crossing their fingers" they can reopen soon.
He said: "If things happen right, and there's enough political and social will, we can really experience a new cultural renaissance if we can kick things off properly in February.
"When we were open, we put 1000 people through the doors every night for 47 consecutive nights and the cases weren't rising... when we closed, the cases shot up. There's no correlation between nightclubs & the late-night economy and Omicron cases."
He said he hopes they can get their business back as soon as they get "over the crest" of the current wave of cases.
