Health Service Executive Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry said there is cause for hope with some "stabilisation" of the coronavirus but it does not mean Level 5 restrictions should be eased sooner.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Dr Henry said what we are seeing across Europe is that if we let up too early on restrictions and people let up on measures "we see rapid deterioration".
However, he said Ireland is in an improved position with a falling R rate and positivity rate and a drop of cases among two particular age groups, younger people and the older vulnerable groups.
Addressing peoples' hopes of meeting up for Christmas, Dr Henry said they want people to come together after what has been a "torrid year" but he added that "we