Sinn Fein's leader in Northern Ireland, Michelle O'Neill, has indicated she will support the use of British military personnel in the battle against the Covid-19 virus.
Hospital services personnel have asked the Executive's Minister for Health, Robin Swann, to access help because of severe staff shortages due to the virus.
It is understood that the British Ministry of Defence may be able to provide up to 100 combat medical technicians and Sinn Féin is expected to back the intervention.
Michelle O'Neill told RTÉ News: "Our priorities are to save lives, keep people safe and protect the health service. We do not rule out any measures. "Any effort to make the threat posed by Covid-19 into a green and orange issue is divisive and a distraction."