The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is "monitoring the situation and will liaise with marts in due course" in relation to any easing of Covid-19 restrictions over the coming weeks.

In response to an AgriLand query on the matter yesterday, a spokesperson for the department said:

Health measures are still necessary for the time being.

"The department is monitoring the situation and will liaise with the marts in due course," the spokesperson added.

When asked about a timescale for the recommencement of agricultural construction, the department did not shed any light, instead stating: "Anticipated changes in relation to the construction sector have been announced by the government."

In terms of statistics on the move to virtual mart sales, the department representative added:

"The minister [Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue] again thanks mart managers, their staff as well as farmers for cooperating with the public health guidelines and helping to keep each other safe," the department spokesperson concluded.