A number of TDs and Ministers of State have said there should be an increase in the number permitted at funerals following criticism of the current limit of 10 by the Catholic hierarchy.

Minister of State for Special Education Josepha Madigan said the limit should be raised to 25, like other countries, and she added that Ireland is “out of step” for having a total ban on religious services.

Minister of State for Farm Safety Martin Heydon and Minister of State for Trade Promotion Robert Troy added their voices to the calls for change.

Aontú leader Peadar Toibin said at the moment attendance at a funeral “can be a lottery”, and that “priests are forced to turn family members away at the doors of church”.

Independent TD for Laois-Offaly Carol Nolan said that the limits were “completely detached from the nature of how we as a people express our grief and share our solidarity with those who suffer”.

And Independent Senator Ronan Mullen said the bishops have “a strong point”.

“They are right to encourage people to use their lobbying voice to seek arrangements that are proportionate given the important rites at stake but also the public health challenge.”