Brendan Griffin is open to the idea of introducing another Bank Holiday either at the beginning of the year or the end.
Minister for Health Simon Harris had suggested the possibility earlier this week in an interview with TheJournal.ie.
Harris said that "there would be some benefit in having a day to recognise all that people have been through and sacrificed".
In the Dáil on Wednesday, Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane asked if the notion was being seriously considered.
"Coming from a county that is so dependent on tourism, I have felt for a long time that an additional bank holiday, either in the earlier part of the year or the tail end of the year, would be very helpful," said Griffin, a Kerry TD, in response.
"I see the economic benefits that come from bank holidays. The tail end of the year would probably be better as we have a lot together in the early part of the year with St. Patrick's Day, Easter and May."
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