Level 5 restrictions aimed at reducing the spread of Covid-19 are set to be extended, with Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney saying they will be maintained "well into February".
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said coronavirus transmission numbers were "still too high". Addressing the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party last night, the Taoiseach gave a clear signal that Level 5 restrictions will not be eased by Cabinet next week in any significant way.
He told his party's TDs, Senators and MEPs that the recent increase in deaths from Covid-19 shows the devastation that this virus causes, and contended Ireland still has "some distance to go" in dealing with that threat.