A Chinese takeaway has been served with a closure order by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. The order was placed on Cheung's Garden takeaway in Castlefin, Co Donegal, in November.
Three improvement orders were also served on restaurants last month.
Closure orders are served when it is deemed there is, or is likely to be, a grave and immediate danger to public health.
The three improvement orders were served on the Thainese Takeaway, Churchtown, Dublin; on Thanh Cong takeaway, Clonshaugh Shopping Centre, Dublin; and on Rustico Bistro, Ellen Street, Limerick.
Such an order may be issued by the District Court if an improvement notice is not complied with within a defined period.
Further non-compliance can result in a closure order also being served.
Mr Peter Whelan, director of service contracts with the authority, yesterday called on all food retail outlets to be particularly conscious of complying with food safety measures over Christmas.
"Christmas festivities mean that all food service outlets are working flat out, and food safety concerns should not be forgotten in the rush," he said.