The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) is due to meet today, amid concern about an increase in cases of Covid-19.
The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan, said there were significant indicators that the disease was moving in the wrong direction.
Restrictions on household visits and travel around the country are due to be eased tomorrow. NPHET meets amid alarm at the situation in Northern Ireland but also increasing concern about case numbers in the Republic.
The Chief Medical Officer said the five-day average number of cases had increased to 339 - up by almost 100 in a week. Dr Holohan said international experience had shown how quickly the disease could get out of control.