NPHET has been meeting to consider the issue.
Government is expecting health officials to recommend moving to a new phase in the pandemic where rules become advisory rather than legal requirements.
Minister and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan says he wants to see a change in the facemask rules:
"My view, which I'm happy to share publicly, is that we should start immediately by removing the requirement for our school children to have to wear masks in school. I think that's, I think it was put in for good reasons for good public health reasons, but I think they're also good reasons for the health of our children in a wider context of them not having to wear masks and I hope that can be done straightaway, and I have the same view with regards to retail and public transport."
