The Delta variant of Covid-19 remains a "significant challenge" and how big the next wave is depends on what people do to protect themselves in the coming weeks, according the chair of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Professor Philip Nolan said "we cannot let the disease run riot" and said people will need "to be careful around this virus for some time".
He said there has been a four fold increase in cases and "where they go next really depends on what we do over the next few weeks".
Prof Nolan said Ireland needs to reach the highest level of vaccine protection in the adult population possible before all or nearly all of the non-pharmaceutical interventions can be relaxed.