Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar has said that the lifting of lockdown restrictions in the UK's closest neighbour could take months.
The Taoiseach's announcement came just hours before ministers in London were expected to announce a three-week extension in the UK.
Leaders in Northern Ireland and Scotland have already confirmed that the lockdown will continue until the first week of May.
Mr Varadkar said he does not know if we will be able to relax restrictions after May 5, but even if we did it would be a gradual process that would take place over a period of time.