Government has said the laws are needed in case there is a winter surge of Covid.
Ministers have given the go ahead to draft new laws around mandatory mask wearing in certain settings.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly will look to re-enact some pandemic powers ahead of the winter.
The legislation which gave power to mask mandates and other Covid restrictions has lapsed but the Government wants to bring some parts back.
Ministers gave approval this morning to draft legislation to enforce mandatory mask wearing in certain settings.
Sources stressed there are no plans to bring back a mask mandate at the moment and no such settings have been identified.
However, they compared it to buying winter tyres for a car.
Ministers want to have the power available to bring back a mask mandate should there be a big Covid surge in the winter.
The actual laws haven't been drafted yet and as such won't be passed before the Dáil's summer recess.
However, they will be on the agenda early in the new term in September.
Tánaiste Indicates Carbon Tax Cuts On Home-Heating Oil
Seven In Ten Young Adults Considering Emigrating
Research Highlights High Level Of Energy Drink Consumption Among Young People
Taoiseach And Ministers To Travel To New York For UN General Assembly
Google Fined €403M Over Handling Of Location Data
Kildare TD Says He Won't Be Intimidated Amid Widespread Political Harassment Fears
Four People Killed In Separate Road Crashes Across Ireland
Cabinet To Discuss School Meals Programme Amid Criticism Of Nutritonal Standards
