Waterford Minister of State, John Halligan, says it's "baffling" that the Government isn't following World Health Organisation advice on the physical distancing length.
The Junior Minister has said the current restrictions are like the economy having a stroke; the longer it's deprived of "the oxygen of commerce", the worse the long term damage will be.
Speaking to the Irish Examiner, he also called for an acceleration of the lifting of lockdown restrictions, saying many businesses contacting him fear they won't re-open.
Minister Halligan has been strongly critical of the Government and the National Public Health Emergency Team continuing to recommend physical distancing of 2 metres.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan told cabinet Ministers he had no plans to change this, but John Halligan believes the WHO advice of 1 metre is sufficient and would allow businesses, schools and the wider health service to begin operating again.
He's cited reports that 1,800 people may die of cancer because of the inability to get a referral for screening, asking if this is a reasonable price to pay for the lockdown.
