Announcing an end to almost all Covid restrictions, the Taoiseach has said it is now time to "be ourselves again".

Solidarity with each other and trust in science has got this country to a place where the vast majority of restrictions can be lifted, Micheál Martin has said.

He said there have been many twists and turns along the pandemic path but "today is a good day".

On Friday, the Cabinet signed off plans to lift all regulations – except for mask-wearing, self-isolation and Covid passes for international travel – from 6am on Saturday.

A report from the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) has advised Government that Ireland has "weathered the Omicron storm" and that all the key indicators have stabilised and are going in the right direction.

The lifting of restrictions, including an end to social distancing, the scrapping limits on capacity for all indoor events, including weddings and sporting fixtures, as well as dropping the requirement for Covid passes for hospitality will come into force from 6am, Mr Martin added.