A fourth dose of Covid-19 vaccine is expected to be approved for use in Ireland, according to Tánaiste Leo Varadkar. He said this dose would probably not be for everyone, and that the Government is awaiting advice.
Mr Varadkar said he thinks that the vaccine programme would need to start around the middle of the year, before the winter season.
The Tánaiste said what is happening across Europe is a "second wave of Omicron", but he said he did believe it would require the reimposition of restrictions.
He added that an inquiry into the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Ireland will be up and running this year, "if not in the next couple of months".