Talks are continuing over the weekend on what Covid-19 restrictions will be in place for December, ahead of a government announcement next week.
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he wants the country to exit Level 5 restrictions on 1 December. No decisions have been made around what will replace it, but there is a growing expectation that the country will move to Level 3 from Tuesday week (1 December), with a specific set of recommendations put in place for Christmas week.
Talks will intensify from Monday when the three coalition party leaders are due to meet. This will be followed by a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday and a second Cabinet meeting later in the week - ahead of a public announcement on Thursday or Friday.