The Taoiseach was informed by a text from Minister Donnelly early on Saturday afternoon that Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan was going to convene a meeting of NPHET the following day.
The message indicated the reason for the meeting was a concerning increase in Covid-19 cases, including that day's statistics, which showed more than 600 people tested positive.
I understand there was no mention by the CMO, at that stage, of any proposed changes to restriction levels. Moreover there was absolutely no suggestion of a Level 5 recommendation.
That information was conveyed from the Taoiseach’s office to senior officials in the other two coalition parties, so it’s expected Leo Varadkar and Eamon Ryan were informed then.